senioritis

English

Etymology

From senior +‎ -itis.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ˌsin.jɚˈaɪt.ɪs/

  • Audio (US):

    (file)

Noun

senioritis (uncountable)

1. (US, Canada) A tendency of seniors in high school or college to skip class or slack off due to a desire to move on, or because they have already been accepted by a college and their further academic performance is no longer as relevant.
   • 1984, W. Dean Memering, Frank O'Hare, The Writer's Work: Guide to Effective Composition - Page 121

     I don't know, but "senioritis" is real, as I discovered in my senior year. Senioritis is a frame of mind particular to high-school seniors.

   • 2003, Barbara Cooke, Carleton Kendrick, Take Out Your Nose Ring, Honey, We're Going to Grandma's: Hanging In ... - Page 111

     And right now she has a raging case of senioritis. […] Whether you call it senioritis or senior slump, there's no disguising the collective sigh of relief […]

   • 2007, Vault Editors, The College Buzz Book - Page 336

     I worked hard my senior year, something that was particularly difficult due to the senioritis that many others were feeling. But it paid off!

Related terms

• junioritis