junior
0 antonyms and opposites of junior, grouped by meaning.
Adj — Lower in rank, position, or seniority.
How to use junior
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Etymology
From Latin junior, "younger," the comparative form of iuvenis, "young" — the same root as juvenile.
Full origin of junior →Frequently asked questions
What does “junior” mean?
The word “junior” means lower in rank, position, or seniority. In plain terms, lower-ranking or younger — used for job titles, school years, and to distinguish a son from a father of the same name.
How do you pronounce “junior”?
“Junior” is pronounced JOO-nee-uh (/ˈd͡ʒuniɚ/ in IPA).
How do you use “junior” in a sentence?
Here is “junior” used in a sentence: “She started as a junior analyst straight out of university.”
What part of speech is “junior”?
Depending on how it is used, “junior” can be an adjective and a noun.
Where does the word “junior” come from?
The word “junior” comes from Latin. From Latin junior, "younger," the comparative form of iuvenis, "young" — the same root as juvenile.
Is “junior” a common word?
“Junior” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.
How many meanings does “junior” have?
“Junior” has 4 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: lower in rank, position, or seniority.
What is the difference between junior and senior?
Junior and senior are direct opposites of rank. Junior means lower in position, authority, or seniority, while senior means higher. A junior employee reports to a senior one; a junior partner has less standing than a senior partner. The words also mark age order, as in naming a son after his father.
Does junior always mean younger?
Not necessarily. In its main sense, junior refers to rank or seniority rather than age, so a junior colleague could be older than a senior one. It does carry an age meaning in some uses, such as junior school or a father-and-son pair, but at work it usually signals experience and position.
Is junior a negative word?
No, junior is neutral and descriptive rather than an insult. It simply places someone lower in a hierarchy, often early in a career with room to grow. Titles like junior developer or junior doctor are standard and respected. It only sounds negative if used to belittle someone's experience or dismiss their opinion.