potluck

noun

pot·​luck ˈpät-ˈlək How to pronounce potluck (audio)
sense 1b also -ˌlək
Synonyms of potluck
1
a
: the regular meal available to a guest for whom no special preparations have been made
b
: a communal meal to which people bring food to share
—usually used attributively
a potluck supper
2
: whatever is offered or available in given circumstances or at a given time

Examples of potluck in a Sentence

He organized a neighborhood potluck for next Saturday.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Our collection of cozy potluck recipes is ideal for just about any type of party. — Sarah Martens, Better Homes & Gardens, 22 Aug. 2026 As temporary residents of the village, Rooral participants are encouraged to get involved in community events like Spanish lessons and potluck dinners or even host their own workshops to share a slice of home. — Liz Provencher, Condé Nast Traveler, 20 Aug. 2026 Sunny Broccoli Salad A Cleveland reader makes this classic potluck salad the day ahead and refrigerates the dressing and vegetables separately. — Jasmine Thompson, Midwest Living, 20 Aug. 2026 Hashbrown Casserole Every Southern host needs a go-to casserole for whipping up in a pinch for drop-in guests or bringing to a last-minute potluck. — Nellah Bailey McGough, Southern Living, 11 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for potluck

Word History

First Known Use

1592, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of potluck was in 1592

Rhymes for potluck

See All Rhymes for potluck

Browse Nearby Words

pot liquor
potluck
potluck supper
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Potluck.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/potluck. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation

Kids Definition

potluck

noun
pot·​luck ˈpät-ˈlək How to pronounce potluck (audio)
1
a
: a regular meal for which no special preparations have been made
b
: a meal to which people bring food to share
2
: whatever is offered or available in given circumstances or at a given time

More from Merriam-Webster on potluck

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for potluck

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

Why does English have so many silent letters?

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

Even More Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World
See More

Popular

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
skateboard-dog-hat
Wordmaxxing Slang Quiz Give your vocabulary a glow up by getting sendy w...
See All