potluck

noun

pot·​luck ˈpät-ˈlək How to pronounce potluck (audio)
sense 1b also -ˌlək
Synonyms of potluck
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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
These reader-favorite recipes check all the boxes, from make-ahead pasta salads perfect for potlucks to cheesy one-pot casseroles that practically clean up after themselves. — Lizzy Briskin, Better Homes & Gardens, 9 Oct. 2026 Church backrooms, potlucks, and ambrosia salad were all part of my childhood. — David Alm, Longreads, 1 Oct. 2026 The neighborhood has 335 homes from $675,000 to over $1 million, two clubhouses, two swimming pools, a swim team and lots of potluck and other get-togethers. — Joe Marusak, Charlotte Observer, 29 Sep. 2026 Serve it warm and gooey at potlucks, family reunions, or for a casual, weeknight dessert. — Erin Merhar, Southern Living, 27 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for potluck

Word History

First Known Use

1592, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of potluck was in 1592

Rhymes for potluck

See All Rhymes for potluck

Browse Nearby Words

pot liquor
potluck
potluck supper
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Potluck.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/potluck. Accessed 14 Oct. 2026.

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Kids Definition

potluck

noun
pot·​luck ˈpät-ˈlək How to pronounce potluck (audio)
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

More from Merriam-Webster on potluck

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for potluck

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