Johnny-jump-up

noun

John·​ny-jump-up ˌjä-nē-ˈjəmp-ˌəp How to pronounce Johnny-jump-up (audio)
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

Recent Examples on the Web Violas, also known as Johnny-jump-ups, are a compact version of pansies. Southern Living Editors, Southern Living, 14 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'Johnny-jump-up.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1827, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of Johnny-jump-up was in 1827

Dictionary Entries Near Johnny-jump-up

Cite this Entry

“Johnny-jump-up.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Johnny-jump-up. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

Johnny-jump-up

noun
John·​ny-jump-up
ˌjän-ē-ˈjəm-ˌpəp
: any of various pansies or violets with small flowers
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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