john
noun
a toilet or bathroom.
john
1 American
[jon]
/ dʒɒn /
noun
Slang.
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johns
plural
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a toilet or bathroom.
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(sometimes initial capital letter) a fellow; guy.
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(sometimes initial capital letter) a prostitute's customer.
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Also called john mule. a male mule, or more properly a gelded mule.
John
2
American
[jon]
/ dʒɒn /
noun
-
the apostle John, believed to be the author of the fourth Gospel, three Epistles, and the book of Revelation.
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John Lackland, 1167?–1216, king of England 1199–1216; signer of the Magna Carta 1215 (son of Henry II of England).
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Augustus Edwin, 1878–1961, British painter and etcher.
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Elton Reginald Kenneth Dwight, born 1947, English rock singer, pianist, and songwriter.
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the fourth Gospel.
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any of the three Epistles of John: 1, 2, or 3 John.
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a male given name.
John
1
British
/ dʒɒn /
noun
-
New Testament
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the apostle John, the son of Zebedee, identified with the author of the fourth Gospel, three epistles, and the book of Revelation. Feast day: Dec 27 or Sept 26
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the fourth Gospel
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any of three epistles (in full The First, Second, and Third Epistles of John )
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See John the Baptist
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known as John Lackland. 1167–1216, king of England (1199–1216); son of Henry II. He succeeded to the throne on the death of his brother Richard I, having previously tried to usurp the throne. War with France led to the loss of most of his French possessions. After his refusal to recognize Stephen Langton as archbishop of Canterbury an interdict was imposed on England (1208–14). In 1215 he was compelled by the barons to grant the Magna Carta
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called the Fearless . 1371–1419, duke of Burgundy (1404–19). His attempt to control the mad king Charles VI and his murder of the king's brother led to civil war: assassinated
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Augustus ( Edwin ). 1878–1961, British painter, esp of portraits
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Barry born 1945, Welsh Rugby Union footballer: halfback for Wales (1966–72) and the British Lions (1968–71)
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Sir Elton ( Hercules ). original name Reginald Dwight. born 1947, British rock pianist, composer, and singer; his hits include "Goodbye Yellow Brick Road" (1973) and "Candle in the Wind 1997" (1997), a tribute to Diana, Princess of Wales
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Gwen , sister of Augustus John. 1876–1939, British painter, working in France: noted esp for her portraits of women
john
2
British
/ dʒɒn /
Other Word Forms
Noun Inflected Forms
Etymology
Origin of john1
First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English Johan, Iohan, John; generic use of the proper name
Origin of John2
Middle English Johan, John, Jon, from Medieval Latin Jō(h)annēs, from Greek Iōánnēs, from Hebrew Yôkhānān, contracted from Yĕhôkhānān “God has been gracious”; cf. Anna ( def. ), Yahweh ( def. )
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:
The story goes that when Gen. John Kelly, the White House chief of staff, called Tillerson to warn the tweet was coming, the secretary was on the john.
From Salon ● Apr. 23, 2026
No one felt like they had to follow McCain into the bathroom, and even if they had, he would’ve given a press conference from the john.
From Slate ● Oct. 9, 2021
If anyone can help me please john has an eating problem and can only eat these from asda all he can tolerate.
From BBC ● Mar. 30, 2020
According to john a. powell of the Othering & Belonging Institute at UC Berkeley, nationwide we are witnessing increased anxiety, much of it related to an increase in a perceived “other.”
From Seattle Times ● Jan. 17, 2020
Joe grinned like a prince and cast a significant glance outside as he circled around the counter past Bill Koontz, who followed him to the john.
From "The Milagro Beanfield War" by John Nichols
Democrat Chris Pappas made history as the first openly gay man elected to the Senate, beating his rival Republican Senator John Sununu.
From BBC ● Nov. 4, 2026
A cranky, offensive yet somehow lovable John Malkovich plays an old Company assassin named Chris.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Nov. 4, 2026
John D. Wilson sent his stepson to a school in Oahu run by a fellow Scotsman and missionary.
From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 4, 2026
He sang at a prayer vigil for young people in Bologna in 1997 hosted by John Paul II.
From Barron's ● Nov. 4, 2026
“Seeing that happen pushed John Lewis and many others to organize the march that would become Bloody Sunday.”
From "Split the Sky" by Marie Arnold
Israeli organized crime figures and Latino gang members played cards with deep-pocketed square johns.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 6, 2025
This time period also brought the introduction of union suits—predecessors of long johns and onesies—to meet the needs of both men and women.
From National Geographic ● Jan. 9, 2024
Teams dress in layers — long johns, hats, gloves and hand warmers for the frigid overnight and morning hours.
From Seattle Times ● Oct. 4, 2023
At an antique store with long johns hanging from the rafters, he tried to buy old license plates to commemorate the day, only to be told that someone else had spoken for them.
From Washington Times ● Nov. 1, 2022
It seemed very strange—very novel—to be standing outdoors in long johns.
From "A Walk in the Woods" by Bill Bryson
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