Johnny-jump-up
noun
John·ny-jump-up
ˌjä-nē-ˈjəmp-ˌəp 
1
: a common cultivated European viola (Viola tricolor) which has short-spurred flowers usually blue or purple mixed with white and yellow and from which most of the garden pansies are derived
broadly
: any of various small-flowered cultivated pansies
2
: any of various American violets
Examples of Johnny-jump-up in a Sentence
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Violas, also known as Johnny-jump-ups, are a compact version of pansies.
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Southern Living Editors, Southern Living, 14 Feb. 2024
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Southern Living Editors, Southern Living, 14 Feb. 2024
Cite this Entry
“Johnny-jump-up.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Johnny-jump-up. Accessed 31 Oct. 2025.
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