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

Serve it warm and gooey at potlucks, family reunions, or for a casual, weeknight dessert. — Erin Merhar, Southern Living, 27 Sep. 2026

Founded in 2008 and run by nearly 1,000 members, the group hosts small cultural events such as potlucks and Japanese movie screenings year round. — Harllie Stevenson, Idaho Statesman, 24 Sep. 2026

Cucumber-Honeydew Salad with Feta This healthy no-cook potluck salad is full of fruit and vegetable goodness. — Ginger Crichton, Midwest Living, 17 Sep. 2026

Crafted from durable soda-lime glass and peppered with tiny pumpkins, the best-selling Pottery Barn tumblers are especially cute for Friendsgivings, Halloween parties, potlucks, and fall brunches. — Better Homes & Gardens, 16 Sep. 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