senior

SEEN-yur/ˈsinjɚ/UKSEEN-yuh/ˈsiːnjə(r)/

Noun pluralseniors

9 meanings of senior

1
higher rankadjective
Higher in rank or position than other people at a job or in a group.
He got a senior job at the company after years of hard work.
The senior nurse trains all the new staff.
UsageSay senior to someone, and more senior or most senior.
Similarhigh-ranking, superior, chief, top, leading
Oppositejunior, subordinate, lower
Note
2
nounUScountable
An old person, especially someone who has retired.
The community center offers free swimming lessons for seniors every weekday.
My grandfather is a proud senior who still gardens every day.
UsageShort for senior citizen. Some people prefer older people.
Similarpensioner, retiree, elder
Note
3
final-year studentnounPhilippinesUScountable
A student in the last year of high school or college.
My sister is a senior and graduates this spring.
The seniors took their class photo on the front steps.
UsageSchool years go freshman, sophomore, junior, then senior.
Oppositefreshman
4
final school yearadjectiveUS
Belonging to the last year of high school or college.
He is excited for his senior year of high school.
The senior students wrote essays about their plans after graduation.
UsageUse it before a noun: senior year.
5
adult leagueadjectiveCanadaUS
Belonging to a sports league or contest for older or more experienced players.
She joined the senior team this year.
The senior league plays on Saturday mornings.
Similarveteran
Oppositejunior
Note
6
adjective
Older in age than another person.
My aunt is five years senior to my mom.
The senior Dr. Patel still sees patients two days a week.
UsageSay senior to, or more simply older than.
Similarelder, older
Oppositejunior, younger

Less common meanings

7
person above younouncountable
A person who has a higher rank or position than you.
You should listen to your seniors at work.
He is my senior and leads the whole team.
UsageUse it with my, his or her: my seniors.
Similarsuperior, higher-up, boss
Oppositejunior, subordinate, inferior
8
nouncountable
A person who is older than someone else.
My brother is my senior by two years.
She is several years my senior.
UsageFive years my senior means five years older than me.
Similarelder
Oppositejunior
9
nounobsolete
An elder or leader in the early Christian church.
Note

Practice

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Origin

From Latin senior meaning "older," the comparative of senex "old."

Checked 1 Nov 2026 · 2 facts

English senior derives from Latin senior, meaning older. en.wiktionary.org
Latin senior is the comparative of senex, meaning old. en.wiktionary.org