Top Definitions
Quizzes
Examples
Explore Dictionary

Podunk

[ poh-duhngk ]

/ ˈpoʊ dʌŋk /

noun

any small and insignificant or inaccessible town or village: After a year in the big city, I was ready to move back to Podunk.

QUIZZES

CAN YOU GUESS THESE WORDS FROM AROUND THE US?

American English is not always as it appears to be ... get to know regional words in this quiz!

Question 1 of 10

A bet is synonymous with a wager, but what does it mean in New York?

Often it means something is impossible.

It’s another way to agree with someone.

It serves as an apology.

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of Podunk

1660–70, Americanism; generic use of Podunk, village near Hartford, Conn.

Words nearby Podunk

podotheca, -podous, pod person, podsol, podsolize, Podunk, podzol, podzolization, podzolize, Poe, poeciliid

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020

Example sentences from the Web for Podunk

But that kid from Podunk, now unloading freight at the big-box store, is a universe away from Oxford and a Capuchin friar buddy.
Anthony Swofford on America’s Best War Writer, Karl Marlantes|Anthony Swofford|November 12, 2011|DAILY BEAST
I have an engagement to trim a deacon in Podunk this evening.
Get-Rich-Quick Wallingford|George Randolph Chester
The village of Podunk looks down on the neighboring town of Hardscrabble.
The Galaxy|Various
He goes to Podunk all decorated up in geraniums and the rest of his life is a 'college man.'
The Spinner's Book of Fiction|Various

In obedience to this inexorable law Podunk was making ready.
The Boston Cooking-School Magazine (Vol. XV, No. 2, Aug.-Sept., 1910)|Various
As the Podunk Gazette would say, 'A very pleasant time was had by all.'
On Secret Service|William Nelson Taft

See The 2020 Word Of The Year