calling
- 01 B2 Upper Intermediate
a strong feeling that you must do a specific job or help people in a certain way.
a strong inner urge or conviction to follow a particular career or way of life, often perceived as a duty or a spiritual mission.
Simple“She felt a calling to become a doctor after seeing how much her community needed help.”
In context“Many nurses describe their entry into the profession not as a mere career choice, but as a calling that demands significant personal sacrifice.”
- 02 C1 Advanced
the work or job that you do for a living.
a person's regular occupation, profession, or trade.
Simple“He followed his father's calling and became a carpenter.”
In context“In the nineteenth century, it was common for sons to adopt the calling of their fathers, regardless of their own personal interests or talents.”
Synonyms - 03 A2 Elementary
the act of shouting out a name or making a phone call.
the action of shouting, summoning, or communicating by telephone.
Simple“The calling of names at the start of class took several minutes.”
In context“The constant calling of birds in the forest made it difficult for the researchers to record the subtle sounds of the smaller mammals.”
Usage calling for an independent
“Kelce called the wedding "the best night of my life", thanking guests who attended and calling it "a crazy night".”
“This was just one of hundreds of posts that we are calling "mirage" content, which paint a deceptive picture of a place distinct from reality.”
From Middle English callyng, kallyng, kalland, from Old English *cealliende and Old Norse kallandi, equivalent to call + -ing.
From Middle English calling, callynge, equivalent to call + -ing.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.