English Reference

Word

senior

Phoneticsse·nior, stress on the first syllable

US/ˈsinjɝ/

UK/sˈiːnjɐ/

Definitions

01higher in rank

B1 · Intermediate

adj. having a higher position or more authority in a company or organization.

adj. holding a superior position, rank, or status within a professional hierarchy.

“She was promoted to a senior manager position after five years with the firm.”

“The senior partners met privately to discuss the long-term implications of the proposed merger on the firm's equity structure.”

Synonyms

superiorhigher-rankingchief

02older

B1 · Intermediate

adj. older than someone else, or for people who are older.

adj. older in years; often used to distinguish between two people with the same name or to describe services for the elderly.

“The local community center offers a senior exercise class every Tuesday morning.”

“The senior Mr. Reynolds retired to the coast, leaving the day-to-day operations of the family estate to his son.”

Synonyms

Antonyms

03final year of school

B2 · Upper Intermediate American English

adj. related to the last year of high school or university.

adj. pertaining to the final year of a four-year academic program in high school or college.

“He is excited about his senior prom at the end of the year.”

“During her senior year, she balanced a heavy course load with several internship applications and graduate school interviews.”

Synonyms

final-year

Antonyms

04an older person

B1 · Intermediate Countable noun American English

n. a person who is old, especially someone who has retired from work.

n. an elderly person, typically one who has reached the age of retirement.

“The pharmacy offers a ten percent discount to seniors on Wednesdays.”

“The city council is debating new funding for transportation services specifically designed to help seniors reach medical appointments.”

Antonyms

05final-year student

B2 · Upper Intermediate Countable noun American English

n. a student who is in their last year of high school or university.

n. a student in the fourth and final year of a standard secondary or collegiate curriculum.

“The seniors are busy preparing their final projects before graduation in June.”

“As a senior, he felt a strange mix of nostalgia and relief while walking across the campus for his final exam.”

Synonyms

06someone higher in rank

B2 · Upper Intermediate Countable noun

n. someone who has a higher position than you at work.

n. a person who is superior to another in rank, standing, or length of service.

“If you have a problem with the project, you should speak to your senior.”

“The new recruits were encouraged to seek mentorship from their seniors to better understand the company's internal culture.”

Synonyms

Collocations

Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “senior” in context.

Noun

01. senior colleague

“I asked a senior colleague for advice on how to handle the complex project.”

adj + noun

02. senior management

“The new policy was approved by senior management during the board meeting.”

adj + noun

Usage

Often used as a modifier before another noun, such as 'senior management' or 'senior partner'.

Real-World Examples

“How is parkour helping these seniors avoid injuries?”
BBC News 15 Aug 2026

Word family

NOUN

Senior(B2)

Related words

Domain

Sports

This entry

Exam level
CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
Frequency
Very common
Level
B2 · Upper IntermediateOxford
Updated

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English Reference