dodge

1 of 2

noun

ˈdäj 

1

: an act of evading by sudden bodily movement

2

a

: an artful device to evade, deceive, or trick

b

: expedient

dodge

2 of 2

verb

dodged; dodging

intransitive verb

1

a

: to move to and fro or from place to place usually in an irregular course

dodged through the crowd

b

: to make a sudden movement in a new direction (as to evade a blow)

dodged behind the door

2

: to evade a responsibility or duty especially by trickery or deceit

transitive verb

1

a

: to evade by a sudden or repeated shift of position

dodge tacklers

b

: to avoid an encounter with

celebrities dodging the media

2

: to evade (something, such as a duty) usually indirectly or by trickery

dodged the draft by leaving the country

dodged questions

Phrases

dodge a bullet or less commonly dodge the bullet

: to narrowly avoid an unwelcome, harmful, or disastrous outcome or occurrence

coastal towns dodged a bullet when the hurricane veered out to sea

Synonyms

Noun

• ruse
• scheme
• trick

Verb

• weave
• duck

Examples of dodge in a Sentence

Noun

It was just another dodge to get out of working.

just another dodge to get out of working in the yard

Verb

He dodged the first punch but was hit by the second.

She dodged through the crowds as she hurried home.

We dodged between the cars as we raced across the street.

They managed to dodge the reporters by leaving through the back exit.

She accused him of dodging his responsibilities as a parent.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Dark Souls’ plodding sword-and-board combat disappeared in favor of a lightning fast rhythm of slashes, bullets, and dodges. —Luke Winkie, Vulture, 1 Apr. 2025

The film is notable for a dodge ball scene that goes disgustingly awry, a long gay kiss — an unheard-of smooch in 1981 — between Andrew and a bully, and for Arngrim’s goth-twink fabulous costumes, including the silkiest cape. —Erik Piepenburg, New York Times, 2 June 2025

Verb

Multiple federal health officials said planning has been ongoing for the next steps of the reorganization and merger, even as Kennedy has cited the court rulings as a reason to dodge questions about the restructuring on Capitol Hill. —Alexander Tin, CBS News, 1 July 2025

This game has faster, more aggressive combat that pushes the focus onto dodging rather than parrying, which should lead to some very different – and likely very difficult – combat. —Oliver Brandt, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 June 2025

Word History

Etymology

Noun

origin unknown

First Known Use

Noun

1575, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1680, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1a

Phrases Containing dodge

• dodge a bullet
• dodge the bullet
• dodge the draft

Rhymes for dodge

• auge
• hodge
• podge
• dislodge
• hodgepodge
• fuselage

Kids Definition

dodge

1 of 2 noun

ˈdäj 

1

: an act of avoiding by sudden bodily movement

2

: a sly means of avoiding, deceiving, or tricking

just another dodge to get out of working

dodger noun

dodge

2 of 2 verb

dodged; dodging

1

a

: to move suddenly aside or to and fro

dodging through the crowd

b

: to avoid by moving quickly aside

dodge a blow

2

: evade sense 1

dodged the question

Biographical Definition

Dodge

biographical name

ˈdäj 

Mary Elizabeth 1831–1905 née Mapes ˈmāps  American author