Dear John
noun Informal.
a letter from a woman informing her boyfriend or fiancé that she is ending their relationship or informing her husband that she wants a divorce: Nothing is worse for a soldier's morale than getting a Dear John.
any letter terminating a relationship.
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Origin of Dear John
First recorded in 1940–45
Also called Dear John letter.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019
British Dictionary definitions for dear john letter
Dear John letter
noun
informal a letter from someone (esp to a man) breaking off a love affair
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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