potluck

/pɑtˌlʌk/
noun
  1. A meal or gathering where each guest brings a dish to share with others.
    • The neighborhood potluck was a great way to meet new people and try different foods.
    • We're having a potluck at the office next Friday, so please bring your favorite dish.
    • For the family reunion, everyone signed up to bring something for the potluck.
  2. A situation where you take whatever is available or offered, often without a choice.
    • The job assignment was potluck; I ended up with a project I knew nothing about.
    • Since we didn't plan ahead, dinner was potluck — we just ate whatever was in the fridge.
    • When you travel without reservations, finding a hotel room is often potluck.
adjective
  1. Involving or relating to a meal where guests bring dishes to share.
    • The church is organizing a potluck dinner for the holiday celebration.
    • She brought a large salad to the potluck party at her friend's house.
    • We attended a potluck lunch at the community center last Saturday.
  2. Depending on chance or whatever is available; random or unplanned.
    • Our vacation itinerary was potluck — we decided each day where to go.
    • The selection process was potluck, with names drawn from a hat.
    • His approach to cooking is potluck; he just uses whatever ingredients he finds.
What does "potluck" mean? | whatsthatwordmean | whatsthatwordmean