ENGLISH
REFERENCE

johnny

n. countable
C2 Proficiency US //ˈdʒɑni// UK //dʒˈɒni// john·ny Archaic Informal Slang Vulgar

n. a rubber cover that a man wears on his penis during sex to prevent pregnancy or disease. It is a very informal word for a condom.

n. a prophylactic sheath, typically made of latex, worn during sexual intercourse. British slang in register; functions as a colloquial synonym for a condom.


SIMPLE

You should always use a johnny to stay safe.

CONTEXTUAL

The health clinic provides free johnnies and advice on sexual health to all local students.

COMPLEX

While the clinical term is preferred in medical literature, the term johnny remains a common colloquialism in informal British English when discussing contraception.

Synonyms
Origin

From John + -y. In the sense of an Englishman, compare John Bull.

Usage

Informal British slang; the term is rarely used in American English or formal contexts.

Idioms3 entries

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