Hoosier
Americannoun
-
a native or inhabitant of Indiana (used as a nickname).
-
(usually lowercase) any awkward, unsophisticated person, especially a rustic.
noun
Other Word Forms
- Hoosierdom noun
Etymology
Origin of Hoosier
An Americanism dating back to 1920–30; of uncertain origin
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
But Kennedy Smith put the finishing touches on any Indiana comeback, snagging the ball away from Hoosier guard Lenee Davenport in the final minute as she tried to lift up for a lay-in.
From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 13, 2026
Mendoza’s from Miami, so the title game will be a homecoming for him as South Beach braces for candy striped pool towels and a sunscreened Hoosier invasion.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 10, 2026
The charismatic Cignetti just started last year and has already gotten a pair of hefty raises because Hoosier Nation is terrified a rich rival will swoop in to take him, most recently Penn State.
From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 27, 2025
“The IU football team, it’s a real team,” Hoosier quarterback Fernando Mendoza said after flattening the Niketown Waterfowl.
From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 13, 2025
“I’d go to Hoosier Hill with a beautiful girl.”
From "All The Bright Places" by Jennifer Niven
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
