Johnsonese
[ jon-suh-neez, -nees ]
/ ˌdʒɒn səˈniz, -ˈnis /
Save This Word!
noun
a literary style characterized by rhetorically balanced, often pompous phraseology and an excessively Latinate vocabulary: so called from the style of writing practiced by Samuel Johnson.
QUIZ
WILL YOU SAIL OR STUMBLE ON THESE GRAMMAR QUESTIONS?
Smoothly step over to these common grammar mistakes that trip many people up. Good luck!
Question 1 of 7
Fill in the blank: I can’t figure out _____ gave me this gift.
Origin of Johnsonese
First recorded in 1835–45; (Samuel) Johnson + -ese
Words nearby Johnsonese
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023