Hoosier
Americannoun
-
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.
From 2019 to 2023, the Hoosier State directly paid the company $58 million for autism-therapy services, billing records show.
From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 25, 2026
“To be here it’s surreal,” said linebacker Isaiah Jones, a Hoosier since 2022.
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
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
“I’d go to Hoosier Hill with a beautiful girl.”
From "All The Bright Places" by Jennifer Niven
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.
