Johnsonian

[ jon-soh-nee-uhn ]

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

  2. having the quality of Johnsonese.

noun
  1. a person who writes in the Johnsonian style.

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

Origin of Johnsonian

1
First recorded in1785–95; Johnson + -ian

Other words from Johnsonian

  • John·so·ni·an·ism, noun
  • John·so·ni·an·ly, adverb
  • post-John·so·ni·an, adjective

Words Nearby Johnsonian

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

How to use Johnsonian in a sentence

  • The big reviews, especially the quarterlies, have always been the natural home of Johnsonian study.

  • In this, of course, he is following Hume, though he applies the Johnsonian argument to Berkeley's immaterialism.

  • His parody of Johnson's later style is one of the very best of the multitude of Johnsonian imitations.

    The Heroine | Eaton Stannard Barrett
  • Sir, she said, in true Johnsonian style, what height should a mastiff dog attain at the age of six months?

    Short Sixes | H. C. Bunner
  • My argument would be of the Johnsonian kind: if it is not by G., who the devil is it by?

    Letters of Edward FitzGerald | Edward FitzGerald

British Dictionary definitions for Johnsonian

Johnsonian

/ (dʒɒnˈsəʊnɪən) /


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

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