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

• Johnsonianism
  noun
• post-Johnsonian
  adjective
• Johnsonianly
  adverb

Etymology

Origin of Johnsonian

First recorded in 1785–95; Johnson + -ian

Example Sentences

“But he has banished the much-ridiculed ‘Global Britain’ Johnsonian slogan, preferring to under-promise and over-deliver.

From New York Times • Mar. 19, 2023

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

His post referendum press conference was notable for its absence of Johnsonian joie de vivre.

From BBC • Jul. 14, 2016

By this unhappy difference Brooke lost his Johnsonian niche in the temple of biographical fame.

From The International Monthly, Volume 5, No. 4, April, 1852 by Various