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

Dancers from Ballet Hispánico, Alvin Ailey, American Ballet Theatre, New York City Ballet, and Dance Theatre of Harlem share a stage, bringing something from each company’s repertory, as to a potluck. — Rhoda Feng, New Yorker, 24 July 2026

The annual Christmas brunch was a potluck led by volunteers from the congregation and open to anyone in the community who might be looking for a place to be on Christmas, Neely said. — Deidre McPhillips, CNN Money, 24 July 2026

From classics like mac and cheese and deviled eggs to new variations on pasta salad and maybe even a showstopping pound cake recipe to add to your repertoire, potlucks are endless sources of inspiration and more importantly deliciousness. — Tara Massouleh McCay, Southern Living, 23 July 2026

This crowd-pleasing pasta salad is a must-try for summer potlucks and cookouts. — Olivia McIntosh, Martha Stewart, 23 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