Johnsonian

American  

[jon-soh-nee-uhn] / dʒɒnˈsoʊ ni ən /

adjective

1. of, relating to, or characteristic of Samuel Johnson or his works.

2. having the quality of Johnsonese.

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noun

1. a person who writes in the Johnsonian style.

2. a teacher or critic who specializes in the works of Samuel Johnson.

Johnsonian British  

/ dʒɒnˈsəʊnɪən /

adjective

1. of, relating to, or characteristic of Samuel Johnson, his works, or his style of writing

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Other Word Forms

• Johnsonianism
  noun
• post-Johnsonian
  adjective
• Johnsonianly
  adverb

Etymology

Origin of Johnsonian

First recorded in 1785–95; Johnson + -ian

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

Johnsonian

“He’s quite rare in being directly associated with both Cameron-Osborne austerity and Johnsonian hard Brexit,” said Jonathan Portes, a professor of economics and public policy at Kings College London.

From New York Times ● Jul. 19, 2023

This was a very Johnsonian example of self-promotion.

From BBC ● Nov. 7, 2022

Carney owned his actions by saying what he said was “petty, mean and hurtful” rather than indulging in the weasel words of the Johnsonian faux apology.

From The Guardian ● Dec. 27, 2017

That’s because the idea of excellence, and the fundamental view of the arts held by Kennedy himself, are a bit of an embarrassment in today’s democratically minded Johnsonian age of American arts.

From Washington Post ● Jun. 19, 2017

Fact is, I am not a Boswellian, or a Johnsonian, either.

From A Confederate Girl's Diary by Sarah Morgan Dawson