junior

UK: 'junior': /ˈdʒuːniə/; 'Junior': /ˈdʒuːnjə/

US: /ˈdʒunjɚ/

US: ( jo̅o̅n′yər)

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

jun•ior /ˈdʒunyɚ/   adj. 

1. • younger:
     your junior brother.
   • This word is used to name a son after his father;
     it is often written as Jr. following the name:
     Edward Hansen, Jr.
2. of more recent election, appointment, or admission:
   [before a noun] the junior senator from Michigan.
3. of lower rank or standing:
   a junior law partner.
4. Education of or relating to juniors in high school or college:
   junior year.
5. being smaller than the usual size:
   [before a noun] junior clothes.

n. [countable]

6. a person who is younger than another:
   She is my junior.
7. a person who is newer or of lower rank, as in a profession;
   subordinate:
   a junior in the firm.
8. Education a student in the next to the last year at a high school, college, or university.
9. Clothing
   • Often, juniors. [plural] a clothing size for garments for women with short waists and narrow shoulders.
   • a garment in this size range.
10. This word is used as a term of address for a boy;
    or youth;
    or son:
    Get out there, Junior, and show us what you can do.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

jun•ior  ( jo̅o̅n′yər), adj. 

1. younger (usually designating the younger of two men bearing the same full name, as a son named after his father;
   often written as Jr. or jr. following the name):
   May I speak with the junior Mr. Hansen? Mr. Edward Andrew Hansen, Jr.
   Cf. senior (def. 1).
2. of more recent appointment or admission, as to an office or status;
   of lower rank or standing:
   a junior partner.
3. Education (in American universities, colleges, and schools) noting or pertaining to the class or year next below that of the senior.
4. Business [Finance.] subordinate to preferred creditors, mortgagees, and the like.
5. of later date;
   subsequent to:
   His appointment is junior to mine by six months.
6. composed of younger members:
   The junior division of the camp went on the hike.
7. being smaller than the usual size:
   The hotel has special weekend rates on junior suites.
8. Metallurgy (of an iron or steel shape) relatively small, but rolled to a standard form.
9. Clothing of, for, or designating clothing in sizes 3–15 or those who wear it:
   a junior dress;
   junior measurements;
   the junior department.

n. 

10. a person who is younger than another.
11. a person who is newer or of lower rank in an office, class, profession, etc.;
    subordinate.
12. Education a student who is in the next to the final year of a course of study.
13. Clothing Often, juniors. 
    • Clothing a range of odd-numbered sizes, chiefly from 3 to 15, for garments that fit women and girls with shorter waists, narrower shoulders, and smaller bustlines than those of average build.
    • Clothing the department or section of a store where garments in these sizes are sold.
14. Clothing a garment in this size range.
15. Clothing a woman or girl who wears garments in this size range.
16. (cap.) a member of the Girl Scouts from 9 through 11 years old.
17. [Informal.] (often cap.) a boy;
    youth;
    son:
    Ask junior to give you a hand with the packing.

• Latin jūnior younger
• 1520–30

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

junior / ˈdʒuːnjə/ adjective

1. lower in rank or length of service; subordinate
2. younger in years
3. of or relating to youth or childhood
4. of or relating to schoolchildren between the ages of 7 and 11 approximately
5. of, relating to, or designating the third year of a four-year course at college or high school

noun

1. (in England) any barrister below the rank of King's (or Queen's) Counsel
2. a junior person
3. a junior schoolchild
4. a junior student

Etymology: 17th Century: from Latin: younger, from juvenis young

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

Junior / ˈdʒuːnjə/ adjective

1. being the younger: usually used after a name to distinguish the son from the father with the same first name or names: Charles Parker, Junior
   Abbreviations: Jnr, Jr, Jun, Junr