Definition

A person who avoids responsibility or evades something, often in a clever or dishonest way.

Example

He is known as a dodger when it comes to paying his debts.

Conversation

Did you hear about that guy who always seems to escape trouble?

Yeah, he’s quite the dodger when it comes to responsibility.

I wonder how he manages to get away with everything.

It's like he has a trick up his sleeve for every situation!

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Dodger is derived from the verb 'dodge', which comes from the early 19th-century slang 'dodger', meaning to evade or avoid. The term is believed to have originated from the dialectal English 'dodge', meaning to move quickly or suddenly. The suffix '-er' indicates a person who performs the action. Thus, a 'dodger' is a person who evades or avoids something.

Memory Tip

Think of someone who 'evades' or 'avoids' something quickly — that's what a 'dodger' does.

Visually Confused Words