underclassman

[uhn-der-klas-muhn, -klahs-]

noun

plural

underclassmen 

1. a freshman or sophomore in a secondary school or college.

Word History and Origins

Origin of underclassman¹

An Americanism dating back to 1870–75; under- + class + -man

Example Sentences

They looked like underclassmen during a July 31 practice, dropping balls and running incorrect routes.

From Los Angeles Times

All four of them are underclassmen and they beat runner-up Long Beach Poly by 32 hundredths of a second.

From Los Angeles Times

Ramsey was the lone underclassmen in that starting group, but far and away the most coveted in the upcoming draft.

From Los Angeles Times

One of the underclassmen, his sophomore quarterback, put the game away.

From Los Angeles Times

While the right-handed pitcher had sharp command and decent — though hardly overpowering — velocity as an underclassman, his tools as an infielder initially looked more promising.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• freshman 
• junior 
• senior 
• sophomore 
• student