Joneses
Americanplural noun
Etymology
Origin of Joneses
First recorded in 1925–30
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The Joneses were especially busy during the fall of 2024 raising two sons as elite athletes as well.
From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 2, 2026
Revenue growth at these companies should support the spending for now, but keeping up with the AI Joneses is also eventually going to require more debt.
From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 16, 2025
The fine can be £100, but Mr Long said waste wardens prioritised promoting the Keeping Up With the Joneses campaign, created to ensure every household in Blaenau Gwent recycles.
From BBC • Nov. 4, 2025
With TikTok and Instagram reels constantly bombarding you with ads and influencer promotions, it’s hard not to feel like you’re missing out if you’re not buying the latest products and keeping up with the Joneses.
From Salon • Feb. 17, 2025
The “Jones Theory” was much repeated—especially to the Joneses, a dignified and sensible family, who refused to be flustered.
From "In Cold Blood" by Truman Capote
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
