dodger

"Dodger" is a noun with a few closely related but distinct meanings. At its core, it describes someone or something that avoids or escapes something — but it also has a well-known cultural meaning thanks to a famous baseball team!

1nouna person who avoids something

A dodger is someone who cleverly — and often dishonestly — avoids a responsibility, rule, or duty. Think of it like someone who always finds a way to slip away from something they are supposed to do.

everyday language, law · Modern, widely used

He never paid for his train tickets — he was a well-known fare dodger.

The tax dodger hid his money in overseas accounts to avoid paying what he owed.

She was a draft dodger who left the country to avoid military service.

2nouna person who physically dodges

This sense describes someone who is good at physically moving out of the way — quickly stepping or jumping aside to avoid being hit or caught. Imagine a player in a game who is very hard to catch.

sports, everyday language · Modern, widely used

He was a natural dodger on the football field, slipping past every defender.

The little boy was a quick dodger, weaving through the crowd with ease.

3nounfigurativea cunning or untrustworthy person

In informal British English, a 'dodger' can also mean someone who is sly, sneaky, or not to be trusted — someone who always seems to be up to something suspicious. It carries a slightly negative, disapproving tone.

everyday language (British English) · Informal, common in British usage · figurative

Watch out for him — he's a real dodger who will say anything to get what he wants.

The market was full of dodgers trying to sell fake goods to tourists.

4nounthe Los Angeles Dodgers (baseball team)

The Dodgers is the name of a very famous American professional baseball team based in Los Angeles. The name originally came from 'trolley dodgers' — people in Brooklyn, New York, who had to dodge (avoid) the old streetcars on the streets.

sports (baseball), American culture · Modern, widely used in American English

The Dodgers won the World Series and the whole city celebrated.

She has been a Dodgers fan since she was a child.

The game between the Dodgers and the Yankees was sold out.