demijohn
1 synonym for demijohn, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — A large bottle with a short neck, sometimes fitted with small handles or wrapped in wicker.
Synonyms
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
carboy
How to use demijohn
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
glass demijohn
wicker demijohn
a demijohn of wine
fermenting in a demijohn
It is a fairly specialist word, most familiar to home brewers and winemakers rather than the general public.
Etymology
Demijohn is thought to be a partial adaptation of the French dame-jeanne, literally Lady Jane, though its ultimate origin is uncertain. In French the word kept the feminine name Jeanne, but English changed it to the masculine John rather than using the related English name Jane.
Full origin of demijohn →Frequently asked questions
What is a demijohn used for?
It is a large bottle traditionally used for fermenting or storing liquids such as wine, cider or oil.
Why is it called a demijohn?
The name is believed to come from the French dame-jeanne, meaning Lady Jane, though English speakers changed Jeanne to John.
What does a demijohn look like?
It is a large glass bottle with a short neck, sometimes with small handles, and sometimes covered in wickerwork for protection.
