Junior — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

adjective noun /ˈjün-yər/ ju·nior

Meaning & Definition of Junior

Junior (adjective)

  1. less advanced in age, younger —used chiefly to distinguish a son with the same given name as his father
  2. youthful
  3. designed for young people and especially adolescents

Junior (noun)

  1. a person who is younger than another
  2. a male child, son
  3. a young person

Junior (adjective) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. having not so great importance or rank as another

    "junior advisers to the governor"

    similar: inferior, less, lesser, lower, minor, smaller, subordinate
    related: little, mean, small, minute, petty, jerkwater, one-horse, second-class, second-rate, two-bit, associate, auxiliary, secondary, subsidiary
    opposite: greater, higher, major, more, primary, prime, senior, superior, superordinate
    near: choice, exceptional, first-class, first-rate

Junior (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. one who is of lower rank and typically under the authority of another

    "she's his junior in the company"

    similar: inferior, subordinate, underling
    related: attendant, follower, retainer, domestic, menial, steward, flunky, henchman, lackey, minion, adjutant, aid, aide, assistant, coadjutor, deputy, second, second fiddle, helpmate, helpmeet, mate, sidekick
    opposite: senior, superior
    near: boss, captain, chief, foreman, head, headman, helmsman, kingpin, leader, master, taskmaster

Related Entry: Junior high school (noun)

Junior high school is a different word from Junior. The synonyms below are for junior high school, not for junior.

  1. as in high school, public school

    similar: common school, elementary school, grammar school, high school, kindergarten, middle school, primary school, public school, secondary school, senior high school, trade school, training school, academe, academy, school, seminary, boarding school, prep, preparatory school, prep school, charter school, magnet school, minischool, madrassa, Sunday school, yeshiva

Related Entry: Junior high schools (noun)

Junior high schools is a different word from Junior. The synonyms below are for junior high schools, not for junior.

  1. as in high schools, public schools

    similar: common schools, elementary schools, grammar schools, high schools, kindergartens, middle schools, primary schools, public schools, secondary schools, senior high schools, trade schools, training schools, academes, academies, schools, seminaries, boarding schools, preparatory schools, preps, prep schools, charter schools, magnet schools, minischools, madrassas, Sunday schools, yeshivas

Related Entry: Junior miss (noun)

Junior miss is a different word from Junior. The synonyms below are for junior miss, not for junior.

  1. as in schoolgirl, subdebutante

    similar: bobby-soxer, schoolgirl, subdebutante, teenybopper, filly, girl, lass, lassie, miss, missy, nymph, sheila (Australian & New Zealand), gamine, hoyden, pixie, romp, snip, tomboy

Related Entry: Junior misses (noun)

Junior misses is a different word from Junior. The synonyms below are for junior misses, not for junior.

  1. as in schoolgirls, subdebutantes

    similar: bobby-soxers, schoolgirls, subdebutantes, teenyboppers, fillies, girls, lasses, lassies, misses, missies, nymphs, sheilas (Australian & New Zealand), gamines, hoydens, pixies, romps, snips, tomboys

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Junior

The most common words with a similar meaning to Junior:

inferior, less, lesser, lower, minor, smaller, subordinate, underling

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Junior

Words with the opposite meaning of Junior:

greater, higher, major, more, primary, prime, senior, superior, superordinate

Related Words for Junior

little, mean, small, minute, petty, jerkwater, one-horse, second-class, second-rate, two-bit, associate, auxiliary, secondary, subsidiary, attendant, follower, retainer, domestic, menial, steward, flunky, henchman, lackey, minion, adjutant, aid, aide, assistant, coadjutor, deputy

Near Antonyms of Junior

choice, exceptional, first-class, first-rate, boss, captain, chief, foreman, head, headman, helmsman, kingpin, leader, master, taskmaster

Origin & Etymology of Junior

Middle English, from Latin, comparative of juvenis young young

First known use: 13th century

Words & Phrases Containing Junior

junior college, junior high school, Junior Leaguer, junior miss, junior varsity, junior school, lieutenant junior grade

Frequently Asked Questions about Junior

What does "Junior" mean?

"Junior" means less advanced in age, younger —used chiefly to distinguish a son with the same given name as his father. As an an adjective and a noun, it is defined as: less advanced in age, younger —used chiefly to distinguish a son with the same given name as his father. It has 2 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Junior"?

Other words for "Junior" include inferior, less, lesser, lower, minor, smaller, subordinate and underling. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Junior" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Junior"?

There are 44 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Junior". Common alternatives include inferior, less, lesser, lower, minor, smaller, subordinate and underling.

What is the opposite of "Junior"?

Antonyms of "Junior" include greater, higher, major, more, primary, prime, senior and superior. Near antonyms include choice, exceptional, first-class and first-rate.

How do you use "Junior" in a sentence?

Examples of "Junior" in a sentence: "junior advisers to the governor"; "she's his junior in the company".

Is "Junior" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Junior" can be used as an adjective and a noun, depending on the context.

How do you pronounce "Junior"?

"Junior" is pronounced /ˈjün-yər/ and divided into syllables as ju·nior.

What is the origin of the word "Junior"?

"Junior" comes from Middle English, from Latin, comparative of juvenis young young. First known use: 13th century.