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.
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
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
Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza won the Heisman Trophy on Saturday, becoming the first Hoosier to win college football’s most prestigious award.
From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 31, 2025
“I was, like, the prototypical white Hoosier kid,” he said.
From "The Fault in Our Stars" by John Green
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.
