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

Like many of Grownkid’s events, today’s potluck was designed to grab attention, and cloaked in a thin veil of irony. —Sam Stone, Bon Appetit Magazine, 9 Apr. 2026

Our sweet, syrupy version is perfect for a night in or a potluck. —Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 9 Apr. 2026

The potluck tables are filled with baked beans, potato salad, bars and brownies. —Elliot Mann, Twin Cities, 4 Apr. 2026

On Friday nights, the group met in a member’s apartment for Shabbat services and a potluck dinner. —Eyal Press, New Yorker, 30 Mar. 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