Definition

A student who is in the first or second year of high school or college.

Example

As an underclassman, she was eager to learn from her older classmates.

Conversation

I saw that underclassman struggling with their math homework.

Really? It can be tough for them, especially at the start.

Yeah, I remember how lost I felt as an underclassman too.

Maybe we should offer to help them out sometime!

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Underclassman → It is formed from "under-" (meaning beneath or lower) and "classman" (from "class" meaning a group or category, and "man" meaning a person). The term refers to a student who is in a lower class or year in school compared to upperclassmen.

Memory Tip

Think of someone who is 'beneath' ('under-') in rank or year compared to others in their 'class' — that's why an underclassman is a student in a lower grade.

Visually Confused Words