dodgem: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowInformal, recreational
Quick answer
What does “dodgem” mean?
A small electric car driven in an enclosed rink at a fairground, where participants try to bump into other cars while avoiding collisions.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A small electric car driven in an enclosed rink at a fairground, where participants try to bump into other cars while avoiding collisions.
The ride itself or the commercial activity/business of providing such rides; metaphorically, any situation involving evasive action and minor collisions.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
In British English, 'dodgem' is the standard term. In American English, the term 'bumper car' is overwhelmingly more common.
Connotations
In the UK, 'dodgem' evokes traditional fairgrounds and seaside arcades. In the US, 'bumper car' is associated with amusement parks and arcades.
Frequency
'Dodgem' is rare in US English and may be seen as a Britishism. 'Bumper car' is rare in UK English.
Grammar
How to Use “dodgem” in a Sentence
go on the dodgemshave a go on a dodgemdrive a dodgemVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “dodgem” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- The dodgem track was packed.
- We queued for the dodgem cars.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used in the context of the leisure, entertainment, or fairground industry.
Academic
Rare, possibly in cultural studies discussing leisure activities or trademark genericisation.
Everyday
Used when discussing visits to fairs, amusement parks, or nostalgic childhood memories.
Technical
Not used in technical contexts outside of specific references to ride mechanics or safety.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “dodgem”
Neutral
Weak
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “dodgem”
- Using 'dodgem' as a verb (e.g., 'I dodgemed around the track' – incorrect).
- Using the plural 'dodgem' for a single car (one dodgem car, two dodgem cars).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, 'dodgem' is the standard term in British and Commonwealth English. The American English equivalent is 'bumper car'.
No, 'dodgem' is solely a noun. The related verb is 'to dodge'. You drive or ride a dodgem.
It originates from the trademark 'Dodgem', registered in the 1920s by Max and Harold Stoehrer in the USA. The name is a combination of 'dodge' and 'em' (them), instructing drivers to 'dodge 'em'.
Not always. You can refer to a single 'dodgem' (car), but the ride or activity is often referred to collectively as 'the dodgems' (e.g., 'Let's go on the dodgems').
A small electric car driven in an enclosed rink at a fairground, where participants try to bump into other cars while avoiding collisions.
Dodgem is usually informal, recreational in register.
Dodgem: in British English it is pronounced /ˈdɒdʒ.əm/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈdɑː.dʒəm/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “like a game of dodgems: describing a chaotic situation with many near-collisions.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
DODGE them! The name tells you what to do – dodge 'em (other cars).
Conceptual Metaphor
LIFE IS A DODGEM RIDE: A metaphor for a situation requiring constant evasion and involving minor, non-damaging conflicts.
Practice
Quiz
Which term is most commonly used in the United States for a 'dodgem'?