Hoosier
Americannoun
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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.
Early in the fourth quarter, Indiana’s defense forced a three-and-out, blocked Oregon’s punt and recovered the ball 7 yards from the end zone, giving the Hoosier offense its third short field of the night.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 10, 2026
Through tears, Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza thanked every member of his family after becoming the first Hoosier to ever win the Heisman Trophy.
From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 31, 2025
Hoosier football may have won the Big Ten in 1945 and 1967, but they have the second-most losses in FBS history.
From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 7, 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
“Two reasons. One, if you’re on my side, your flagrant plagiarism remains our dirty little secret. Two, I know what to do with that silhouette card you just found in the Hoosier Hospitality book.”
From "Escape from Mr. Lemoncello's Library" by Chris Grabenstein
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.
