dodge

¹ American  

[doj] / dɒdʒ /

verb (used with object)

dodged, dodging

1. to elude or evade by a sudden shift of position or by strategy.

   to dodge a blow; to dodge a question.

   Synonyms:

   avoid

2. Photography. Also hold back. (in printing) to shade (an area of a print) from exposure for a period, while exposing the remainder of the print in order to lighten or eliminate the area (sometimes followed byout ).

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verb (used without object)

dodged, dodging

1. to move aside or change position suddenly, as to avoid a blow or get behind something.

2. to use evasive methods; prevaricate.

   When asked a direct question, he dodges.

   Synonyms:

   quibble, equivocate

noun

1. a quick, evasive movement, as a sudden jump away to avoid a blow or the like.

2. an ingenious expedient or contrivance; shifty trick.

3. Slang. a business, profession, or occupation.

Dodge ² American  

[doj] / dɒdʒ /

noun

1. Mary Elizabeth, 1831–1905, U.S. editor and author of children's books.

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dodge British  

/ dɒdʒ /

verb

1. to avoid or attempt to avoid (a blow, discovery, etc), as by moving suddenly

2. to evade (questions, etc) by cleverness or trickery

3. (intr) Leisure:Bell-ringing to make a bell change places with its neighbour when sounding in successive changes

4. (tr) photog to lighten or darken (selected areas on a print) by manipulating the light from an enlarger

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noun

1. a plan or expedient contrived to deceive

2. a sudden evasive or hiding movement

3. a clever contrivance

4. Leisure:Bell-ringing the act of dodging

Other Word Forms

• outdodge verb (used with object)
• undodged adjective

Etymology

Origin of dodge

First recorded in 1560–70; of obscure origin

Explanation

To dodge something is to avoid it. In dodge ball, players dodge the balls being thrown at them. Dodging is making quick, sudden movements, usually to avoid something. You have to move quickly to dodge a flower pot that's falling from a ledge. In football, running backs are good at dodging defensive players. Politicians do a lot of maneuvers and manipulations to dodge blame, and plenty of people dodge responsibility for something they're supposed to take care of. So any kind of evasion strategy is a dodge.

Example Sentences

And if interviewers bristle at questions or dodge them, that could be a red flag.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 3, 2026

Across the backends of the internet, cheeky characterizations of Norris-as-god still abound: Chuck Norris can believe it’s not butter, Chuck Norris doesn’t dodge bullets—they dodge him, Chuck Norris can slam a revolving door.

From Slate • Mar. 20, 2026

Some experts think Iran is using multiple positioning systems, making it easier for its drones to dodge jamming.

From Barron's • Mar. 16, 2026

The show closed with another clip in which O’Brien imagined himself being made Oscar host for life; though it was a dodge.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 16, 2026

I missed jump rope and dodge ball and field trips.

From "The Old Willis Place" by Mary Downing Hahn

Related Words

• ditch
• duck
• elude
• escape
• evade
• fend off
• shuffle
• sidestep
• skirt