John Hancock

[ jon-han-kok ]

/ ˈdʒɒn ˈhæn kɒk /

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See synonyms for John Hancock on Thesaurus.com

noun

1737–93, American statesman: first signer of the Declaration of Independence.

Informal. a person's signature: Put your John Hancock on this check.

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Question 1 of 7

Which sentence is correct?

His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

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Origin of John Hancock

An Americanism dating back to 1840–50, so called from the boldness and legibility of John Hancock's signature

Words nearby John Hancock

John Doe, John Doe, Jane Doe, John Dory, Johne's disease, John F. Kennedy International Airport, John Hancock, John Henry, John Hop, John I, John II, John III

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use John Hancock in a sentence

George Washington knew the threat smallpox posed to the new nation, calling it “the most dangerous Enemy” in a July 1776 letter to John Hancock.
Mandatory immunization for the military: As American as George Washington|Gillian Brockell|August 26, 2021|Washington Post
The service already has signed on some major partners in the health care market including leading data service Cerner and insurer John Hancock.
Amazon jumps into smart wearables market with Halo activity tracking band|Aaron Pressman|August 27, 2020|Fortune
A few years back, designer John Galliano was fined by the government for sharing just such anti-semitic sentiments in public.
Politicians Only Love Journalists When They're Dead|Luke O’Neil|January 8, 2015|DAILY BEAST
NEW ORLEANS — John Boehner was reelected House Speaker yesterday by his Republican colleagues despite some dissenting members.
The Price of Steve Scalise’s Silence|Jason Berry|January 7, 2015|DAILY BEAST

And similar shards of enthusiasm-killing kryptonite are lodged in John Kasich, Mike Pence and Ted Cruz.
Why This Liberal Hearts Huckabee|Sally Kohn|January 6, 2015|DAILY BEAST
As it currently stands, the Via Dolorosa follows the account given in the Gospel of John.
Oops! Jesus’ Last Steps Are in the Wrong Place|Candida Moss|January 6, 2015|DAILY BEAST
By contrast, John McCain, the eventual GOP nominee, had raised approximately $12.7 million in the first quarter of 2007 alone.
Can Huckabee Convert the GOP’s Moneymen?|Lloyd Green|January 4, 2015|DAILY BEAST
After all, may not even John Burns be human; may not Mr. Chamberlain himself have a heart that can feel for another?
God and my Neighbour|Robert Blatchford
Hamo in alluding to the early cultivation of tobacco by the colony, says, that John Rolfe was the pioneer tobacco planter.
Tobacco; Its History, Varieties, Culture, Manufacture and Commerce|E. R. Billings.
John Wilson, a celebrated landscape and marine painter, died at Folkstone, aged 81.
The Every Day Book of History and Chronology|Joel Munsell
John Thornton Kirkland, president of Harvard university, died, aged 70.
The Every Day Book of History and Chronology|Joel Munsell
John was baptizing at a large pool called Ænon-by-Saleim,—probably allegorical, meaning “Fountain of Repose.”
Solomon and Solomonic Literature|Moncure Daniel Conway

British Dictionary definitions for John Hancock

John Hancock

noun

US and Canadian informal a person's signatureput your John Hancock on this form Also called: John Henry

Word Origin for John Hancock

after John Hancock, from his clear and legible signature on the American Declaration of Independence

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Cultural definitions for John Hancock

John Hancock

A signature: “Please help us out and put your John Hancock on our petition.” The expression refers to the bold signature that John Hancock wrote on the Declaration of Independence.

Other Idioms and Phrases with John Hancock

John Hancock

Also, John Henry. One's signature, as in Just put your John Hancock on the dotted line. This expression alludes to John Hancock's prominent signature on the Declaration of Independence. The variant simply substitutes a common name for “Hancock.” [Mid-1800s]