junior

noun

1

a(1)

: a person who is younger than another

a man six years my junior

(2)

: a male child : son

(3)

: a young person

b

: a clothing size for women and girls with slight figures

2

a

: a student in the next-to-the-last year before graduating from an educational institution

b

: a person holding a lower position in a hierarchy of ranks

3

Junior : a member of a program of the Girl Scouts for girls in the third through sixth grades in school

Synonyms of junior

• subordinate
• minion
• assistant

Examples of junior in a Sentence

They are my juniors in rank.

She's a junior at the state college.

Recent Examples on the Web

Gillespie had 37 tackles, 18 pass breakups and four interceptions as a junior. —Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 8 June 2026

The junior is one of five players expected to return next year. —Brian Robin, Oc Register, 8 June 2026

Francis Parker Baseball The junior dominated the SoCal Regionals, allowing just one run in six innings against Covina and tossing four scoreless innings in the 9-3 loss to North Torrance in the Division 4 playoffs. —Steve Brand, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 June 2026

Lakeville South senior Eva Welsch and Mounds View junior Allison Richter spent both Thursday and Saturday battling one another. —Frank Rajkowski, Twin Cities, 7 June 2026

Word History

Etymology

Latin, noun & adjective

First Known Use

1526, in the meaning defined at sense 1a(1)

Phrases Containing junior

• junior college
• junior high school
• junior miss
• junior school
• junior varsity
• lieutenant junior grade

Kids Definition

junior

1 of 2 adjective

ju·​nior ˈjün-yər 

1

a

: being the younger one

—used chiefly to distinguish a son with the same given name as his father

b

: designed for young teenagers

2

: lower in standing or rank

junior partner

3

: of or relating to juniors in a school

junior

2 of 2 noun

1

: a person who is younger or of lower rank than another

2

: a student in the next-to-last year in a high school, college, or university

Legal Definition

junior

adjective

ju·​nior ˈjü-nyər 

: of lower standing or rank

a junior lienholder