Meaning & use
dodgeball
Last updated
Meanings
noununcountable
A game in which players throw a ball at each other and try to avoid being hit.
Grammar: No article when naming the game: play dodgeball.
Patterns
- play dodgeball
- a game of dodgeball
We played dodgeball in gym class today.
Dodgeball is popular at summer camps.
The children laughed and shouted during their game of dodgeball.
nouncountable
The soft ball used in this game.
Grammar: Can be counted when talking about the physical ball: a dodgeball.
Patterns
- throw a dodgeball
- catch a dodgeball
He threw the dodgeball so hard it bounced off the wall.
She caught the dodgeball with one hand.
Word forms
| plural | dodgeballs |
|---|
Common combinations
- play dodgeball
- The kids love to play dodgeball at recess.
- a game of dodgeball
- They organized a game of dodgeball after school.
- dodgeball tournament
- Our team won the dodgeball tournament.
- throw a dodgeball
- Don't throw a dodgeball at someone's head.
Commonly confused: dodgeball or dodge ball?
dodgeball vs dodge ball
This is just a variant spelling of the same game; 'dodgeball' as one word is more common in American English.
Practice
The students were excited to ______ in PE class.
Choose one answer.
When naming the game, 'dodgeball' is uncountable and takes no article: play dodgeball. 'Play a dodgeball' would mean playing with one ball, not the game.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “dodgeball”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.