rhizoverbBeta
DictionaryseniorOlder age
adjective / noun

senior

SEE-nee-er/ˈsiːniər/

More advanced in age or standing.

The senior worker guides the younger team members at the workbench.

An older, more experienced worker guides younger team members from the head position at a workbench, making higher rank and advancement visible.
Etymology
senLatinold
+iorLatinmore

The pieces mean “older,” and English first used senior to distinguish a father from a same-named son. The comparison later extended to longer service and higher rank.

In context

Epic History14:55
By 1813, Napoleon relied on Macdonald as one of his senior Marshals.
Napoleon's Marshals: Bessières, Macdonald, Masséna.
Video Creators11:09
someone who's targeting senior citizens,
NEW YOUTUBE METRIC: Track Viewer Loyalty for Faster Growth

More examples

  • A senior engineer supervises the new employees.
  • My sister is three years my senior.
  • High school seniors graduate at the end of this semester.

Forms

senior · seniors · more senior · most senior

seniority noun — Higher standing based on length of service.

Similar words

older
Compares age without implying higher rank or professional standing.
elderly
Suggests advanced age rather than simply being older than another.
superior
Indicates higher rank or authority, not necessarily greater age.