The most senior versus the senior most.

[Aamir Tariq]

What is the difference between "the most senior" and "the senior most"?

Are they interchangeable?

How the second one is written?
a) the seniormost
b) the senior-most
c) the senior most

I've heard senior most/seniormost/senior-most in Pakistani English very often. And as I was searching for it on the internet, I came across a couple of forums where I learned that it is more frequently used in Indian English but not else where in the English Speaking world.

If it is Indian then is it one of those words from the old British English that became obsolete and old-fashioned and out-dated and hence they are no longer in use in the UK or was it originated in India itself?

Regards,
Aamir the Global Citizen

 

[tedmc]

I think words with the suffix are less common and they are in one word rather than hyphenated.
I have heard of words like "uppermost", "innermost", "topmost" and "bottommost" but not "seniormost".

 

[tedmc]

The comparison of the usage of the words is shown here:

https://books.google.com/ngrams/gra...c0;.t1;,seniormost;,c0;.t1;,senior - most;,c0

 

[bubbha]

My Microsoft Word and Chrome spellchecks both reject "seniormost". "senior most" is also wrong in my view. If you wish to use it, I would recommend "senior-most".

Example: "Jimmy rose to the senior-most position in the firm after years of dedicated effort."

 

[Aamir Tariq]

Can you give us a sentence in which you wish to use 'senior(-)most'?

Sure, "Misbah-ul-Haq was the seniormost/senior-most/senior most team member when he retired from cricket".

"Mr. Aslam is the seniormost/senior-most/senior most worker of the factory".

 

[Aamir Tariq]

My Microsoft Word and Chrome spellchecks both reject "seniormost". "senior most" is also wrong in my view. If you wish to use it, I would recommend "senior-most".

Example: "Jimmy rose to the senior-most position in the firm after years of dedicated effort."

It's a little surprising to me because you've lived in India, I guess Rajhastan you said. But since you've been living in the USA for a long time you might have gotten more familiar with Americanism. It is used in English newspapers in both India and Pakistan. But thanks anyway for giving your feedback. I'm interested to know if Americans, British and Australians use it or not.

 

[Aamir Tariq]

I would use 'most senior' in all the sentences given. Although 'senior(-)most' is not listed in any of the dictionaries at www.onelook.com, it does not sound strange to me.

You are right but there are some forums where you can see it.

https://kaushalkishorethakur.weebly.com/blog/seniormostormost-senior1

https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/seniormost

I don't know if wiktionary.org is an authentic source of vocabulary building.

 

[Aamir Tariq]

See how frequently the word "seniormost" is used in Indian newspapers. It even appears in headings. Have a look at the heading in the link below.

Sujata Mehta the seniormost secretary in MEA after the appointment of new heads of mission

https://economictimes.indiatimes.co...new-heads-of-mission/articleshow/49131036.cms