noun
Common
Joan
john
Joan (noun) means a generic or placeholder name for an ordinary woman, especially a young working-class one. Example: “The pamphlet was addressed to "every Joan on the factory floor.”
noun
1
A generic or placeholder name for an ordinary woman, especially a young working-class one.
"The pamphlet was addressed to "every Joan on the factory floor.""
2
A close-fitting women's cap that was fashionable in the mid-1700s.
"The portrait shows her wearing a plain linen joan."
How to use Joan
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishBest known today as a given name; the placeholder-name and cap senses are historical and rarely used now.
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Word forms
- Plural
- Joans
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The pamphlet was addressed to "every _____ on the factory floor."
Etymology
A shortened form of Joanna, ultimately from Hebrew via Greek and Latin, meaning "God is gracious."
Synonyms
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Rhymes for Joan
See all rhymes for Joan →Frequently asked questions
What does “Joan” mean?
The word “Joan” means a generic or placeholder name for an ordinary woman, especially a young working-class one. In plain terms, best known today as a given name; the placeholder-name and cap senses are historical and rarely used now.
How do you pronounce “Joan”?
“Joan” is pronounced john (/d͡ʒoʊn/ in IPA).
How do you use “Joan” in a sentence?
Here is “Joan” used in a sentence: “The pamphlet was addressed to "every Joan on the factory floor.".”
What part of speech is “Joan”?
“Joan” is a noun.
Where does the word “Joan” come from?
The word “Joan” comes from Latin. A shortened form of Joanna, ultimately from Hebrew via Greek and Latin, meaning "God is gracious.".
Is “Joan” a common word?
“Joan” is a fairly common word in modern English.
How many meanings does “Joan” have?
“Joan” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a generic or placeholder name for an ordinary woman, especially a young working-class one.
Is Joan a male or female name?
In English, Joan is traditionally a feminine given name, long used as a female form of John. Separately, in Catalan-speaking regions Joan is a standard masculine name equivalent to John, so the gender depends on the language.
What did joan mean as a common noun for a woman?
In older English, joan served as a generic or placeholder name for an ordinary woman, especially a young working-class one, much as common first names have stood in for "everyman" figures. This usage is historical rather than current.
What is a joan in historical fashion?
A joan was a close-fitting women's cap that was fashionable in the mid-1700s. The term now appears mainly in histories of dress and in costume research.
What is the difference between Joan, Joanne, and Joanna?
All three are feminine names from the same family, ultimately related to John. Joan is the shortest form, while Joanne and Joanna are longer variants of the same underlying name rather than unrelated names.
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