potluck — English Dictionary

Noun

1. A meal, especially one offered to a guest, consisting of whatever food is available.

   Usage

   • also
   • attributive
   • Countable
   • Dated
   • Uncountable

   Examples

   Here are some leftover beans and meat; we can make a good potluck stew from them.

   More examples (1)

   During my Stay here, I was going to take Pot-Luck with Colonel Ingram, and accidentally meeting him in the Way, I told him I deſigned to ſoul a Plate with him, […]

   Me, to pot-luck, may any friend invite: / The treat, I can return, is my delight.

   More examples (4)

   Instead of frequent potluck enjoyments, it seems folks, now-a-days, regale their friends with a feast, which, if as seldom attempted as the author paints, cannot induce bankruptcy.

   A pretty way to conciliate 'little tempers' indeed, to add to the offence of spoiling the fish the crime of bringing an unexpected friend to eat it. Pot luck, quotha, when the pot's boiled over this half hour!

   But he never contradicted Mrs Hackit—a woman whose "pot luck" was always to be relied on, and who on her side had unlimited reliance on bleeding, blistering, and draughts.

   We had just arrived at my house, and on the spur of the moment I invited Poirot to come in and take pot luck.

2. Whatever is available in a particular situation.

   Usage

   • also
   • attributive
   • broadly
   • Countable
   • Uncountable

   Examples

   More examples (2)

   He at once resolved to accompany me to that island, ship aboard the same vessel, get into the same watch, the same boat, the same mess with me, in short to share my every hap; with both my hands in his, boldly dip into the Potluck of both worlds.

   How to get rich of Dutch Henry taxed the wits of the invaders. The whole morning and the early afternoon went to pot-luck firing from the trench along the draw, but although it was often asserted that Henry must long since be dead—having returned none of the shooting that was meant to call his fire—no one manifested the curiosity necessary to prove the assertion by closing in on the cabin.

3. A shared meal consisting of whatever guests have brought (sometimes without prior arrangement); a potlatch; also, a dish of food brought to such a meal.

   Usage

   • US usage
   • also
   • attributive
   • Countable
   • Uncountable

   Examples

   More examples (3)

   Last evening, at the Free Trade Club, a dinner was given by Hon. Robert R. Roosevelt to a large number of his friends. Though invitations had been issued for a week previous, the feast was decidedly of an impromptu character as far the viands went. […] Cards of invitation of an amusing character were issued, on which the menu was indicated, with the names of the improvised cooks who were to concoct gumbo, lobster cutlets, plumb pudding, various salads, and coffee. […] Course followed course in the most tumultuous way. Culinary inspirations and cookery nocturnes of all flavors and tastes crowded one on another. Anything like system was discarded, and this was thought likely to destroy the artistic effects of this pot-luck picnic.

   Then we had a potluck dinner. Each family brought a different dish. I always like Mrs. Rowlani's Persian rice best. I ate three helpings. Lisa likes it too, but she picks out the raisins and gives them to Fred [a dog].

   One of the most neglected areas in the study of American celebrations remains the small group festive gathering. As discussed by Linda T. Humphrey, the Small Group Festive Gathering is "somewhere between festival and ritual … and the solitary sandwich, (when) small groups of people get together to share food and drink and to have a good time"[…]. Among the examples she provides are potlucks, cocktail parties, and reunions.

   Throw a class partay and tell stoodents to bring a potluck. Tell stoodents them can bring crakers & cheez wiz, salad bowl for vegtablians, […]

   More examples (1)

   Potlucks are the time for fun, unfussy dishes. […] Thankfully, people now enjoy lots of different flavors. Nevertheless, a potluck with people you don't know well might not be the time to bring that tripe recipe you've always wanted to try.

4. The last draft or portion of an alcoholic beverage in a pot or other drinking vessel.

   Usage

   • also
   • attributive
   • Countable
   • Obsolete
   • Uncountable

   Examples

   We had but euen pot luck, a little to moyſten our lips, and no more.

   More examples (1)

   […] I am bold, in ſtead of new wine, to carowſe to you a cuppe of newes: which if your worſhip (according to your wonted Chauceriſme) ſhall accept in good part, Ile bee your daily orator to pray, that the pure ſanguine complexion of yours may never be abaſht with pot-lucke, that you may taſt till your laſt gaſpe, […]

   kanne-geluck, Pot-luck, or he that drinkes the laſt draught out of a Canne or Pot.

   More examples (1)

   Lord, Why do you two argue about a Peace, whether it ought to be made or no, when it is already made. It is as though a Man ſhou'd talk of Plowing his Land after 'tis Sown, or as though I ſhou'd talk of drinking Potluck, now that the Bottle is empty.

Verb

1. To take part in a potluck, where each participant brings a meal to be shared by all.

   Usage

   • also
   • attributive
   • Intransitive

   Related words

   brown bag

Noun

1. whatever happens to be available especially when offered to an unexpected guest or when brought by guests and shared by all

   Broader terms

   mealrepast

   Examples

   having arrived unannounced we had to take potluck

   a potluck supper