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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Violas, also known as Johnny-jump-ups, are a compact version of pansies. Southern Living Editors, Southern Living, 14 Feb. 2024

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 22 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

Johnny-jump-up

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