Hoosier
Americannoun
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a native or inhabitant of Indiana (used as a nickname).
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(usually lowercase) any awkward, unsophisticated person, especially a rustic.
noun
Other Word Forms
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.
Hailing from Indianapolis, Cohen credits fellow Hoosier Kurt Vonnegut, Jr., for capturing the simple pleasures that The Beatles’ songbook offers.
From Salon ● Jun. 4, 2026
Michigan and Ohio drivers saw sharp price drops, while the Hoosier State “experienced even steeper relief after the state temporarily waived both its excise and use taxes on gasoline.”
From MarketWatch ● May 11, 2026
A day after taking the job, he strode before a crowd of Hoosier fans and unleashed a bold proclamation.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jan. 20, 2026
At the center of it is Curt Cignetti, the deadpan coaching lifer who took a flier on Bloomington in 2023, told Hoosier Nation he wins wherever he goes —“Google me”—and went out and did it.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jan. 20, 2026
Hoosier Hill is only eleven miles from town, so we don’t have far to go.
From "All The Bright Places" by Jennifer Niven
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Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
