noun
john
JON
noun
1
Informal US term for a toilet.
"He excused himself to go to the john."
2
Slang for a prostitute's customer.
"Police were arresting johns as part of the sting operation."
How to Use John
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishDepending on context, either a slang word for a toilet or for a man who pays for sex.
When to use it
Both senses are informal/slang; avoid in formal writing.
Word Forms
johns plural, Johns plural
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He excused himself to go to the _____.
Etymology
From the personal name John, which became a generic stand-in for "some man" and later a euphemism for a toilet.