Mary Jane

¹ American  

[mair-ee jeyn] / ˈmɛər i ˈdʒeɪn /

noun

1. a small, round sponge cake, usually with a circular indentation on top, for topping with fruit, whipped cream, etc., and served as an individual portion.

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Trademark.

1. Mary Janes, small bits of chocolate, candy, sugar, or the like, for sprinkling on ice cream; sprinkles.

2. a brand of young girls' low-heeled shoe of patent leather having across the instep a single strap that fastens at the side.

Mary Jane ² American  

[mair-ee jeyn] / ˈmɛər i ˌdʒeɪn /

Or maryjane

noun

Slang.

1. marijuana. MJ

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mary jane British  

noun

1. a slang term for marijuana

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Etymology

Origin of Mary Jane

First recorded in 1925–30; translation of Mexican Spanish marijuana, by the popular assumption—probably incorrect—that it is a compound of Spanish María and Juana

Example Sentences

In December, Indonesia also took Mary Jane Veloso off death row and returned her to the Philippines.

From BBC • Jun. 3, 2025

“It’s daily moral agony for her,” Mary Jane marvels.

From New York Times • Apr. 23, 2024

Mary Jane Melendez, the company’s chief sustainability global impact officer, said 85% of the company’s water use is in agriculture.

From Seattle Times • Oct. 25, 2023

Not much information was available at the time about Zendaya’s character, Michelle, but Deadline reported that she likely wouldn’t be Spidey’s love interest because her name wasn’t Gwen or Mary Jane.

From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 24, 2023

She turned her head slightly toward Mary Jane.

From "Nine Stories" by J. D. Salinger