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

This potato salad looks just like your classic barbecue or potluck dish (and tastes pretty similar too). —Ginger Crichton, Midwest Living, 5 May 2026

Potato salad is the quintessential Southern potluck dish that is always welcome on the table. —Cameron Beall, Southern Living, 3 May 2026

The potluck staple can be made in myriad ways and customized to suit any taste or occasion. —Sarah Martens, Better Homes & Gardens, 2 May 2026

There will be a community potluck to wrap up the six-week program. —Pedro Moura, Los Angeles Times, 1 May 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