potluck

noun

pot·​luck ˈpät-ˈlək 

sense 1b also -ˌlək

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

Compared to the more compact Leven Deli, where tourists and downtown employees meet for lunch and coffee, the newer Leven Supply has ample room to wander and find food to take to a picnic, potluck or cookout. — Miguel Otárola, Denver Post, 21 July 2026

Bring this vibrant salad to your next picnic, potluck or backyard barbecue. — Lynda Balslev, Mercury News, 21 July 2026

This is straight up a dessert, but don’t tell Beverly, Nancy, Martha, or whoever brought it to the church potluck. — Josh Miller, Southern Living, 20 July 2026

Lisa Silimanothay, the co-owner of Hangover Noodles, said the idea to start the kitchen came from a work potluck. — Emma Hall, Sacbee.com, 17 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1592, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for potluck

• amok
• amuck
• awestruck
• dumbstruck
• roebuck
• unstuck
• woodchuck
• chuck
• cluck
• duck
• huck
• luck

Kids Definition

potluck

noun

pot·​luck ˈpät-ˈlək 

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