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  • Johnny
    Johnny
    noun
    a familiar term of address for a man or boy.
  • johnny
    johnny
    noun
    (often capital) a man or boy; chap
Synonyms

Johnny

American  
[jon-ee] / ˈdʒɒn i /
Or Johnnie

noun

Johnnies plural
  1. (sometimes lowercase) a familiar term of address for a man or boy.

  2. (sometimes lowercase) a short, collarless gown that is fastened in back and is worn by hospital patients, persons being examined in a doctor's office, etc.

  3. (lowercase) toilet; bathroom.

  4. a male given name, form of John.


johnny British  
/ ˈdʒɒnɪ /

noun

  1. informal (often capital) a man or boy; chap

  2. a slang word for condom

"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

Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

Etymology

Origin of Johnny

First recorded in 1665–75; John + -y 2

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.

His tone of voice matured, too, gaining a depth and wisdom that at times put him in the same league as Leonard Cohen and Johnny Cash.

From BBC • Jun. 12, 2026

After Johnny Carson finished filming and the studio was empty, Allen would sit at his desk, mimicking the legendary late-night host.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 8, 2026

"We need to deploy equipment and qualified, specialist medical staff as quickly as possible," Lieutenant General Johnny Luboya Nkashama told AFP on Friday, "to spare this province from disaster".

From Barron's • May 29, 2026

Isaac Fitzgerald grew up near the birthplace of Johnny Appleseed.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 27, 2026

I had kids collect shells, and we glued them on wooden cigar boxes that I got Johnny Cakes to donate.

From Full of Beans by Jennifer L. Holm

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