Hoosier

American  

[hoo-zher] / ˈhu ʒər /

noun

1. a native or inhabitant of Indiana (used as a nickname).

2. (usually lowercase) any awkward, unsophisticated person, especially a rustic.

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Hoosier British  

/ ˈhuːʒɪə /

noun

1. a native or inhabitant of Indiana

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Other Word Forms

• Hoosierdom noun

Etymology

Origin of Hoosier

An Americanism dating back to 1920–30; of uncertain origin

Example Sentences

Simon majored in accounting at Indiana University, where he spent his spare time reading, attending Hoosiers basketball games and pursuing fellow student Jacqueline Freed.

From The Wall Street Journal

It is believed that this accident is the first such between horse-drawn vehicle and internal combustion engine in the twentieth century here in the Hoosier heartland.

From Literature

In the final period of Monday’s title game, the Hoosiers’ dreams were slipping away.

From The Wall Street Journal

The Bruins held Indiana to 31.3% shooting from the field, below the Hoosiers’ 47.9% average on the season for fifth in the Big Ten.

From Los Angeles Times

Thursday night felt fitting then, as the Hoosiers never quite let USC get comfortable, forcing the Trojans to earn every bit of their fifth straight victory in a 79-73 win at Galen Center.

From Los Angeles Times