hush puppy

noun

Updated on: 20 Apr 2018

Definition of hush puppy

chiefly Southern US and south Midland US

: cornmeal dough shaped into small balls and fried in deep fat —usually used in plural

Recent Examples of hush puppy from the Web

Reason to visit: Fried chicken, chicken fried steak, hush puppies.

— larry olmsted, USA TODAY, "Southern fried chicken in chilly Minneapolis," 16 Apr. 2018
The meal comes with a side (such as fries or hush puppies) and a fountain drink.

— sarah gish, kansascity, "Craving 'crack chicken?' This local fast food joint serves seriously addictive wings | The Kansas City Star," 13 Apr. 2018
Conner’s menu hits the creative-but-approachable mark Indy diners prefer with a stack of crisp, corn-sweet hush puppies, each full of blue crab meat.

— liz biro, Indianapolis Star, "Why restaurants in Indianapolis hotels don't have to suck," 12 Apr. 2018
An auction will begin at 7 p.m. The menu includes catfish filet, hush puppies, green beans, potatoes and iced tea.

— Houston Chronicle, "Katy-area calendar of events," 19 Mar. 2018
Charlotte restaurant titan Frank Scibelli never misses a detail, from the Texas-style cooker to the hush puppies.

— kathleen purvis, charlotteobserver, "Everything you need to know about modern BBQ (and where to eat it in Charlotte) | Charlotte Observer," 8 Feb. 2018
Meadows has served Overtown’s hungry residents for 25 years with heaping plates of dishes such as fried snapper and turkey wings, and traditional sides like macaroni and cheese and hush puppies.

— chloe herring, miamiherald, "His restaurant helped renew Harlem. Will his new one do the same for Overtown?," 20 Feb. 2018
Williamsburg: 5-7 p.m., American Legion Post 288, 208 E. Main St. Cod, french fries, coleslaw, hush puppies, beverages and dessert.

— rasputin todd, Cincinnati.com, "Find a fish fry near you," 13 Feb. 2018
Plate full of fish with two hush puppies for $3.50 in the 90’s!

— AJC.com, "Bankhead Seafood closes suddenly after 50 years in business," 14 Jan. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'hush puppy.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of hush puppy

from its occasional use as food for dogs

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: circa 1918

See Words from the same year

Learn More about hush puppy

See words that rhyme with hush puppy Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about hush puppy

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up hush puppy? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show

hush puppy

Definition of hush puppy

Recent Examples of hush puppy from the Web

Origin and Etymology of hush puppy

Learn More about hush puppy

Seen and Heard

WORD OF THE DAY

grudging

BROWSE DICTIONARY

Test Your Vocabulary

Words at Play

Words from Letters in the Greek Alphabet

'Preventive' or 'Preventative'?

Words We're Watching: 'Bluebeard,' the Verb

Where 'Cliff-hangers' Come From

Ask the Editors

2017 Word of the Year: Behind the Scenes

Words of the Year: 1066

Literally

Is Singular 'They' a Better Choice?

Word Games

Odd Habits and Quirks Quiz

More Confusing Words—Quiz

How Strong Is Your Vocabulary?

Word Winder's CrossWinder

Going Greek: 7 Words from the Greek Alphabet

'Preventive' or 'Preventative'?

Odd Habits and Quirks Quiz

Trending: Trump: Den of Thieves and 'Lowlifes'

2017 Word of the Year: Behind the Scenes

hush puppy

Definition of hush puppy

Recent Examples of hush puppy from the Web

Origin and Etymology of hush puppy

Learn More about hush puppy

Seen and Heard

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games

Going Greek: 7 Words from the Greek Alphabet

'Preventive' or 'Preventative'?

Odd Habits and Quirks Quiz

Trending: Trump: Den of Thieves and 'Lowlifes'

2017 Word of the Year: Behind the Scenes