Johnsonian

American  

[jon-soh-nee-uhn] / dʒɒnˈsoʊ ni ən /

adjective

1. of, relating to, or characteristic of Samuel Johnson or his works.

2. having the quality of Johnsonese.

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noun

1. a person who writes in the Johnsonian style.

2. a teacher or critic who specializes in the works of Samuel Johnson.

Johnsonian British  

/ dʒɒnˈsəʊnɪən /

adjective

1. of, relating to, or characteristic of Samuel Johnson, his works, or his style of writing

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• Johnsonianism
  noun
• post-Johnsonian
  adjective
• Johnsonianly
  adverb

Etymology

Origin of Johnsonian

First recorded in 1785–95; Johnson + -ian

Example Sentences

Using typical Johnsonian language, he initially dismissed the claims as an “inverted pyramid of piffle” before other evidence emerged.

From Washington Post • Jul. 7, 2022

Peering into a file cabinet crammed with Johnsonian nuggets, Mr. Caro looked up and, not for the only time, asked, “Do you want to see?”

From New York Times • Jan. 8, 2021

Carney owned his actions by saying what he said was “petty, mean and hurtful” rather than indulging in the weasel words of the Johnsonian faux apology.

From The Guardian • Dec. 27, 2017

His post referendum press conference was notable for its absence of Johnsonian joie de vivre.

From BBC • Jul. 14, 2016

But both were curiously English in a sort of knock-me-down Johnsonian dogmatism; and both were in consequence extremely intolerant.

From A History of Nineteenth Century Literature (1780-1895) by Saintsbury, George