johnny-come-lately

noun
UK: /ˌdʒɒni kʌm ˈleɪtli/
US: /ˌdʒɑːni kʌm ˈleɪtli/

  1. Someone who has only recently joined a group or started doing something, especially if they try to change things.

    1. He is a Johnny-come-lately to the project and doesn't know much. [ ] [ ]
    2. As a Johnny-come-lately to environmental issues, her sudden passion seemed suspicious. [ ] [ ]

  2. A newcomer to a particular field or activity, often seen as an interloper.

    1. The town resented the Johnny-come-lately opening a new business. [ ] [ ]
    2. Many long-time fans dismissed him as a Johnny-come-lately who didn't understand the team's history. [ ] [ ]

Synonyms

newcomer beginner rookie upstart

Frequently Asked Questions

The word "johnny-come-lately" in English means: Someone who has only recently joined a group or started doing something, especially if they try to change things., A newcomer to a particular field or activity, often seen as an interloper..

The phonetic transcription of "johnny-come-lately" is /ˌdʒɒni kʌm ˈleɪtli/ in British English and /ˌdʒɑːni kʌm ˈleɪtli/ in American English. Click the 🔊 button to hear both pronunciations.

Synonyms for "johnny-come-lately": newcomer, beginner, rookie, upstart.

Example usage of "johnny-come-lately": "He is a Johnny-come-lately to the project and doesn't know much.". More examples on the page.