senior
SEEN-yuh
Senior (adj) means Higher in rank, age, or status. Example: “Only senior staff are allowed to approve large spending requests.”
adj
1
Higher in rank, age, or status.
"Only senior staff are allowed to approve large spending requests."
"She was promoted to senior partner last year."
"He's the senior member of the team by a decade."
noun
1
A student in their final year of high school or university.
"Every senior at the school helps organise the spring dance."
"My brother is a senior and already planning for university."
"As a senior, she was finally allowed to park on campus."
2
An older person, especially one of retirement age.
"The library runs a weekly coffee morning for seniors in the town."
"Many seniors enjoy gardening and long walks with their friends."
"The gym offers discounted rates for seniors."
How to use senior
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishOlder, higher-ranking, or in the final year of school — or, as a noun, an older adult or final-year student.
UK vs US
"Senior" for a final-year student is standard in American schooling; British schools don't typically use this year-naming system.
Common pairings
senior management
senior citizen
senior year
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Word forms
- Plural
- seniors
- Comparative
- more senior
- Superlative
- most senior
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Only _____ staff are allowed to approve large spending requests.
Etymology
From Latin senior, the comparative form of senex, "old" — the same root behind "senate" and "senility."
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for senior
See all rhymes for senior →Frequently asked questions
What does “senior” mean?
The word “senior” means higher in rank, age, or status. In plain terms, older, higher-ranking, or in the final year of school — or, as a noun, an older adult or final-year student.
How do you pronounce “senior”?
“Senior” is pronounced SEEN-yuh (/ˈsinjɚ/ in IPA).
How do you use “senior” in a sentence?
Here is “senior” used in a sentence: “She was promoted to senior partner last year.”
What is another word for “senior”?
Words with a similar meaning to “senior” include long in the tooth, on in years, masters and veteran.
What is the opposite of “senior”?
The opposite of “senior” — its antonyms — is junior.
What part of speech is “senior”?
Depending on how it is used, “senior” can be an adjective and a noun.
Where does the word “senior” come from?
The word “senior” comes from Latin. From Latin senior, the comparative form of senex, "old" — the same root behind "senate" and "senility.".
Is “senior” a common word?
“Senior” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.
What is the difference between senior and junior?
They are direct opposites. "Senior" means higher in rank, age, or status, while "junior" means lower or younger. A senior employee has more experience or authority; a junior one is newer or subordinate. The pair is used across workplaces, schools, and families to mark relative position.
Does senior always mean older?
No. "Senior" can refer to age, but at work it usually means higher in rank or status regardless of age. A younger person can be senior to an older colleague if they hold a more advanced position. Context decides whether age, rank, or status is the point being made.
What does senior mean at work?
At work, "senior" describes someone higher in rank, with more experience, responsibility, or authority than colleagues at a similar level. A senior manager outranks a manager, and a senior developer guides junior staff. It signals seniority earned through experience or position rather than simply age.
What is the opposite of senior?
The opposite of senior is "junior," meaning lower in rank, age, or status. Depending on context, "subordinate," "entry-level," or "younger" can also serve as opposites. Where senior marks greater experience or authority, its counterpart marks a more junior or beginning position.
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