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

Example Sentences

My resident butterflies start fanning my insides on cue as I dodge around people, back to the games room.

From Literature

But they were not as naïve now, more deftly dodging her swinging stick.

From Literature

Said is an Iraqi-British national who since at least 2020 has operated a network of companies helping Iran dodge international sanctions on sales of oil, according to U.S.

From The Wall Street Journal

That said, it’s unlikely that many students today spend as much time as Felix did dodging crossbow-wielding monks in an effort to rob freshly dug graves.

From The Wall Street Journal

The revelation that prediction markets could dodge state rules and taxes through what he calls a “loophole” prompted him to launch an anti-prediction market lobbying group called Gambling Is Not Investing.

From Barron's

Related Words

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