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

Derived Forms

• post-Johnsonian
  adjective
• Johnsonianly
  adverb
• Johnsonianism
  noun

Etymology

Origin of Johnsonian

First recorded in 1785–95; Johnson + -ian

Example Sentences

“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

Using typical Johnsonian language, he initially dismissed the claims as an “inverted pyramid of piffle” before other evidence emerged.

From Washington Post • Jul. 7, 2022

This was a case where Clinton needed to be more Johnsonian.

From The New Yorker • Jan. 12, 2015

It is tempting to set this down as a Johnsonian prejudice, and to deny or retort the comparison.

From Hours in a Library New Edition, with Additions. Vol. II (of 3) by Stephen, Leslie, Sir