noun

demijohn

DEM-ih-jon

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Demijohn (noun) means a large bottle with a short neck, sometimes fitted with small handles or wrapped in wicker. Example: “The wine was left to ferment for months in a glass demijohn.”

noun

A large bottle with a short neck, sometimes fitted with small handles or wrapped in wicker.

"The wine was left to ferment for months in a glass demijohn."

"He carried the demijohn of olive oil out to the car by its handles."

"Old demijohns encased in wicker are often sold now as decorative pieces."

How to use demijohn

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA demijohn is just a big glass bottle, often used by home winemakers to ferment their brew.

When to use it

It is a fairly specialist word, most familiar to home brewers and winemakers rather than the general public.

Memory tip

Picture a very large bottle rather than a jug or jar, a demijohn typically holds several litres.

Trace the full origin ↓

Common pairings

glass demijohn wicker demijohn a demijohn of wine fermenting in a demijohn

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C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

Test yourself on “demijohn” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage →

Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

The wine was left to ferment for months in a glass _____.

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.

Origin: French

Synonyms

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carboy

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.

What is the meaning of demijohn?

"demijohn" (noun) means a large bottle with a short neck, sometimes fitted with small handles or wrapped in wicker.