johnson
johnson — noun
1. an informal, slightly old-fashioned word for the male sexual organ that men use
an informal, slightly old-fashioned word for the male sexual organ that men use when urinating and that is involved in producing children
Yuki covered her johnson with a towel as she walked to the bathroom.
possessive pronoun + johnson as body part
The doctor asked the boy if he had any pain in his johnson.
johnson in a medical context (informal register)
Aarav's grandfather still says 'johnson' because he thinks other slang words are too rude.
The old comedy movie got a laugh every time someone said the word 'johnson'.
metalinguistic use — talking about the word itself
After the bike accident, Rafael told the nurse his johnson was bruised.
- someone's johnson
- his johnson
Grammar Patterns
someone's + johnson
the + johnson
Usage Note
This is an informal, mildly humorous word that is considered less offensive than stronger slang terms like 'dick' or 'cock,' but it is still not appropriate in formal or polite conversation. It sounds somewhat old-fashioned today.
Common Mistakes
johnson — idiom
Andrew Johnson
idiomthe 17th president of the United States, who took office after Abraham Lincoln was assassinated in 1865 and led the country through the early years of Reconstruction until 1869.
Daichi read about Andrew Johnson's presidency in his history class.
Historians often compare Andrew Johnson's Reconstruction policies with those of Abraham Lincoln.
The museum added a new exhibit about Andrew Johnson and the years after the Civil War.
johnson — biographical name
1. Boris Johnson, a British politician who led the Conservative Party and was Prime
Boris Johnson, a British politician who led the Conservative Party and was Prime Minister of the United Kingdom from 2019 to 2022, best known for completing the country's departure from the European Union.
Boris Johnson became Prime Minister after winning the Conservative Party leadership race in 2019.
Under Johnson's leadership, the UK officially left the European Union on 31 January 2020.
surname used to refer to leader of government
Many newspapers in Britain described Johnson as a colourful and controversial figure.
Johnson's handling of the COVID-19 pandemic drew both praise and criticism from the public.
possessive form for actions during tenure
Usage Note
In British political discussion, this figure is often referred to simply as 'Johnson' or 'Boris' rather than by his full first name. His nickname 'BoJo' appears in informal media but is rarely used in formal writing.
2. Jonathan Eastman Johnson, a nineteenth-century American painter best known for h
Jonathan Eastman Johnson, a nineteenth-century American painter best known for his realistic portraits and scenes of everyday life in the United States, including depictions of Indigenous people and African American communities.
Eastman Johnson's painting 'The Old Stagecoach' is displayed at the Milwaukee Art Museum.
Art historians consider Johnson one of the most important American genre painters of the 1800s.
cited as a notable figure in a field
Johnson gained recognition for his detailed portraits of everyday working people in rural America.
A major exhibition of Johnson's work travelled to museums across the United States in 2024.
exhibition dedicated to the artist
Usage Note
This figure is almost always referred to as 'Eastman Johnson' rather than just 'Johnson' to distinguish him from other notable people with the same surname. Art history texts use 'Eastman Johnson' or 'J. Eastman Johnson'.
3. James Weldon Johnson, an African American writer, poet, and civil rights activis
James Weldon Johnson, an African American writer, poet, and civil rights activist best known for writing 'Lift Every Voice and Sing', which became known as the Black American national anthem, and for serving as a leader of the NAACP.
James Weldon Johnson wrote the poem 'Lift Every Voice and Sing' in 1900 for a celebration of Abraham Lincoln's birthday.
Johnson served as the first African American executive secretary of the NAACP during the 1920s.
role held by a historical figure
Many schools in the United States teach Johnson's poetry as part of African American literature courses.
Johnson's book 'The Autobiography of an Ex-Colored Man' explored themes of racial identity in early twentieth-century America.
possessive + work title
Usage Note
This figure is typically referred to by his full name 'James Weldon Johnson' to avoid confusion with Samuel Johnson or other notable Johnsons. In civil rights history contexts, 'James Weldon Johnson' or 'JWJ' are standard.
4. Lyndon Baines Johnson, the thirty-sixth US president who took office after John
Lyndon Baines Johnson, the thirty-sixth US president who took office after John F. Kennedy was assassinated, serving from 1963 to 1969. He is remembered for his Great Society domestic programs and for expanding American involvement in the Vietnam War.
President Johnson signed the Civil Rights Act of 1964 into law, banning segregation in public places.
title + surname for US president
Lyndon B. Johnson launched the Great Society programs to reduce poverty and improve education in America.
The Vietnam War became more costly in American lives under Johnson's presidency.
possessive for presidential term
Johnson decided not to run for re-election in 1968 after facing growing opposition to the war.
Historians often rank Johnson among the most effective presidents on domestic policy but criticise his Vietnam strategy.
historical evaluation of a president
- LBJ
common initials used in US political discussion; more informal than the full name
Usage Note
In American political writing, this figure is commonly called 'Lyndon B. Johnson', 'President Johnson', or simply 'LBJ'. The initials 'LBJ' are widely recognised in US historical contexts. Avoid confusing him with Andrew Johnson, the 17th president.
Common Mistakes
5. Earvin 'Magic' Johnson, a famous American basketball player who spent his whole
Earvin 'Magic' Johnson, a famous American basketball player who spent his whole career with the Los Angeles Lakers, known for his exceptional passing skills, his leadership on the court, and his public fight against HIV/AIDS after his diagnosis in 1991.
Magic Johnson led the Los Angeles Lakers to five NBA championships during the 1980s.
nickname used as given name
Fans loved watching Johnson's no-look passes and his big smile on the basketball court.
After retiring from basketball, Johnson became a successful businessman with a chain of movie theatres.
post-career achievement
Johnson's announcement that he had HIV in 1991 changed how the public thought about the disease.
- Magic
his widely used nickname; more common in sports conversation than his full name
Usage Note
This figure is almost always called 'Magic Johnson' in sports media, though his given name is Earvin. The nickname 'Magic' was given to him in high school. Referring to him simply as 'Johnson' is uncommon in basketball contexts; 'Magic' alone is frequently used.
Common Mistakes
6. Philip Cortelyou Johnson, a highly influential American architect who helped des
Philip Cortelyou Johnson, a highly influential American architect who helped design the Museum of Modern Art in New York and created the iconic Glass House in Connecticut, known for shifting between modernist and postmodernist styles over his long career.
Philip Johnson designed the famous Glass House in New Canaan, Connecticut as his own weekend home.
Johnson's AT&T Building in New York City became a landmark example of postmodern architecture.
possessive + building name as landmark
Architecture students often study Johnson's work to understand the shift from modernism to postmodernism.
Johnson received the AIA Gold Medal in 1978 for his lasting contributions to American architecture.
award received by the architect
Usage Note
In architecture writing, this figure is referred to as 'Philip Johnson' or 'Philip Cortelyou Johnson'. His early partnership with Henry-Russell Hitchcock and his later work with John Burgee are both well-documented in architectural history.
7. Richard Mentor Johnson (1780–1850), an American politician from Kentucky. He was
Richard Mentor Johnson (1780–1850), an American politician from Kentucky. He was the ninth person to hold the office of U.S. vice president, serving under Martin Van Buren from 1837 to 1841.
Richard M. Johnson was the only U.S. vice president ever chosen by the Senate.
passive: chosen by the Senate
Before becoming vice president, Johnson represented Kentucky in both the House and the Senate.
collocation: represented [state] in [chamber]
Johnson fought in the War of 1812 and was praised for killing the Shawnee chief Tecumseh.
collocation: fought in [war name]
Historians remember Johnson for supporting laws that took land from Native American tribes.
Usage Note
Frequently referred to simply as Richard M. Johnson or Colonel Johnson for his military rank. Distinguished from Lyndon B. Johnson (sense 4), who served as a later U.S. president.
8. Samuel Johnson (1709–1784), also called Dr. Johnson, an English writer, poet, an
Samuel Johnson (1709–1784), also called Dr. Johnson, an English writer, poet, and literary critic who created A Dictionary of the English Language, one of the most important reference works in English literature.
Samuel Johnson published his famous dictionary in 1755 after working on it for nearly nine years.
collocation: published [his/her] dictionary in [year]
Dr. Johnson started a literary club in London that brought together painters, writers, and thinkers.
James Boswell wrote a famous biography of Johnson that remains popular with readers today.
collocation: wrote a biography of [person]
Johnson's house on Gough Square in London is now a museum about his life.
Usage Note
Commonly referred to as Dr. Johnson due to his honorary doctorate from Trinity College Dublin. His surname alone (Johnson) in literary contexts nearly always refers to this figure.
9. Sir William Johnson (1715–1774), a British military officer and colonial officia
Sir William Johnson (1715–1774), a British military officer and colonial official who managed relations between the British government and Native American tribes in the American colonies before the Revolutionary War.
Sir William Johnson negotiated several treaties with the Six Nations of the Iroquois Confederacy.
collocation: negotiated treaties with [group]
King George III appointed Johnson as Superintendent of Indian Affairs for the northern colonies in 1756.
passive: appointed as Superintendent of [role]
Johnson built a grand estate called Johnson Hall in the Mohawk Valley of New York.
Johnson led soldiers against French troops at Lake George in the French and Indian War.
Usage Note
Always referred to with the title Sir when named. Not to be confused with his son Sir John Johnson, who was also a British official in Canada.
Word family
- JohnnounA1
- JohnnynounA2
- JohnstonnounB2
- JonsonnounC1
- JohnsonianadjectiveC2
- JohanssonnounB2
Synonym discussion
Sense: biographical name/4
Johnson is one of the most common English surnames, along with Smith, Jones, and Williams. While Smith is the most frequent surname overall in English-speaking countries (originally an occupational name for a metalworker), Johnson is the second most common, reflecting its patronymic origin ('son of John'). Jones, the Welsh equivalent of Johnson, shares the same 'son of John' meaning. In American political contexts, 'Johnson' carries distinct historical weight — unlike 'Smith' or 'Jones', it refers to several U.S. presidents (Andrew Johnson, Lyndon B. Johnson), whereas 'Kennedy' is tied to a single prominent political dynasty. In everyday use, saying 'the Johnsons' typically refers to a generic family, similar to 'the Smiths', though 'Smith' is more neutral as a default placeholder surname in expressions like 'John Smith'.
Common collocations
Nouns
- President Johnson
- Johnson administration
- Johnson era
- Johnson biography
- the Johnson presidency
- Johnson's legacy
Phrases
- the Johnson years
- Johnson and his team
- the Johnson family
Etymology
A common English surname meaning 'son of John'. The given name John comes through Latin Johannes from Greek Ioannes, which traces back to the Hebrew name Yochanan (יוֹחָנָן), meaning 'God is gracious'. The '-son' suffix is a standard English patronymic marker. By the 14th century, 'Johnson' had become one of the most widespread surnames in England, and English colonists later carried it to America, where it remains one of the country's most common family names.