Junior Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations
👶
junior
[ˈdʒuːnɪər ]
Definitions
sports
A junior is a young athlete who competes in sports events for young people, usually under a certain age.
Synonyms
Which Synonym Should You Choose?
| Word | Description / Examples |
|---|---|
| junior |
Commonly used in academic or school settings to refer to students in their third year of study, especially in high schools and universities in some countries.
|
| youth |
Used to describe a young person in their teenage years or early adulthood. It can also refer to young people collectively. The term often carries a positive connotation of potential and vigor.
|
| youngster |
Informal and affectionate term used to refer to a child or teenager. It can be used in everyday conversation or in a friendly manner.
|
| minor |
Legal or formal term used to describe someone who is not yet an adult, typically under the age of 18. Also used in law to indicate a person who does not have certain legal rights or responsibilities due to their age.
|
Examples of usage
- The junior tennis tournament will take place next week.
- She is one of the top juniors in the swimming team.
education
In the educational context, a junior refers to a student in the third year of a four-year high school or college program.
Synonyms
third-year student.
Which Synonym Should You Choose?
| Word | Description / Examples |
|---|---|
| junior |
Commonly used in a high school or college setting to describe a student who is in their third year of study out of four. This term is also utilized in workplaces to denote employees with less experience or lower ranking.
|
| third-year student |
Explicitly refers to a student who is in their third year of study, commonly used in both high school and university settings. This term is more formal and specific than 'junior'.
|
Examples of usage
- She will be a senior next year, but right now she is a junior in high school.
Translations
To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.
Interesting Facts
Education
- In schools, 'junior' typically denotes students in a specific grade, highlighting their progression in education.
- Graduating from junior high is a significant milestone for many students as they prepare for high school.
- In some contexts, junior programs or clubs offer younger individuals opportunities to develop skills and leadership.
Pop Culture
- Many films and books use 'junior' to highlight themes of growing up, such as 'Big Daddy' starring Adam Sandler, where he learns about responsibility.
- The word appears in various music tracks, often to reference youth and the carefree nature of being young.
- In sports, 'junior' divisions allow younger athletes to compete and showcase their talent on a smaller stage.
Social Structure
- 'Junior' is sometimes used within family settings, such as naming a son after his father (e.g., John Smith Jr.).
- In workplaces, a 'junior' position usually indicates entry-level roles that often lead to more experienced roles.
- The term is often contrasted with 'senior,' representing the difference in experience and authority.
Origin of 'junior'
Main points about word origin
- The word originates from the Latin 'junior', meaning 'younger'.
- It became popular in English in the 16th century to describe someone of lower rank or status based on age.
- In academic contexts, 'junior' often refers to students in their third year of study (in systems like the U.S. educational system).
The word 'junior' originated from the Latin word 'juvenis' meaning young. It has been used in English since the 13th century to refer to younger people or those of lower rank. Over time, 'junior' has become commonly associated with youth and in various contexts such as sports and education.