Johnny-come-lately
Americannoun
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Johnny-come-latelies,
plural
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Johnnies-come-lately
plural
noun
Other Word Forms
Noun Inflected Forms
Etymology
Origin of Johnny-come-lately
First recorded in 1825–35; from the proper name Johnny
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.
See Examples For:
Given he’s been a megawatt star for more than half a century, it’s odd to think that Rod Stewart has opinions on anything as Johnny-come-lately as the Department of Government Efficiency.
From Salon ● Jun. 29, 2025
“King salmon is a Johnny-come-lately that came into this race only after king crab left—died.”
From Slate ● Sep. 18, 2022
In activewear — among the few strong-performing categories in the anemic apparel sector — J. Crew would appear to be a Johnny-come-lately.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 11, 2016
It is extraordinarily difficult for a Johnny-come-lately to become a football power.
From New York Times ● Mar. 13, 2016
We are all young men compared with Loony Honeycutt, all Johnny-come-lately youngsters.
From The Everlasting Whisper by Jackson Gregory
Although its co-founders may be Johnny-come-latelies, it has plenty of chip-industry expertise in its ranks.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 18, 2026
Given that idea, it seems a bit counterproductive to scold these Johnny-come-latelies who arrive at the paid-leave party 40 years after it began.
From Slate ● Jan. 7, 2021
Now the BBC and ITV look less like the big beasts and more like the Johnny-come-latelies.
From BBC ● Feb. 27, 2019
Maybe all you Johnny-come-latelies can just make a donation and leave your lips bare.
From Time ● Nov. 5, 2014
Instead, he was relegated to the sidelines as a marginal player while Johnny-come-latelies like Hamilton and Madison occupied center stage.
From "Founding Brothers: The Revolutionary Generation" by Joseph J. Ellis
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Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
