Johnny-come-lately
Americannoun
plural
Johnny-come-latelies, Johnnies-come-latelynoun
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.
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
Why is it so challenging for fashion to take the lead? Why does this feel like a Johnny-come-lately decision to denounce reprehensible behavior — not because the behavior is inherently awful, but because it’s no longer cool?
From Washington Post • Oct. 24, 2017
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
When I took Johnny-come-lately to gaol in Melbourne for stealing him, he brought me back in less time than any horse ever did the distance before or since.
From The Book of the Bush Containing Many Truthful Sketches Of The Early Colonial Life Of Squatters, Whalers, Convicts, Diggers, And Others Who Left Their Native Land And Never Returned by Macfarlane, J.
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
