Word
calling
Phoneticscall·ing, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈkɔɫɪŋ/
UK/kˈɔːlɪŋ/
Definitions
01a life's purpose
B2 · Upper Intermediate Countable noun
n. a strong feeling that you must do a specific job or help people in a certain way.
n. a strong inner urge or conviction to follow a particular career or way of life, often perceived as a duty or a spiritual mission.
“She felt a calling to become a doctor after seeing how much her community needed help.”
“Many nurses describe their entry into the profession not as a mere career choice, but as a calling that demands significant personal sacrifice.”
02a job or profession
C1 · Advanced Countable noun Formal
n. the work or job that you do for a living.
n. a person's regular occupation, profession, or trade.
Español:pegarle a
“He followed his father's calling and became a carpenter.”
“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
03the act of shouting or naming
A2 · Elementary Uncountable noun
n. the act of shouting out a name or making a phone call.
n. the action of shouting, summoning, or communicating by telephone.
“The calling of names at the start of class took several minutes.”
“The constant calling of birds in the forest made it difficult for the researchers to record the subtle sounds of the smaller mammals.”
Antonyms
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “calling” in context.
Real-World Examples
“Kelce called the wedding "the best night of my life", thanking guests who attended and calling it "a crazy night".” “President Trump is calling for immunizations for measles, mumps and rubella to be given in individual jabs in three different appointments instead of the standard combination shot.” “Last month Burnham said pubs, social clubs and live music venues in England would be given a 20% cut to business rates from April, calling it a "first step" to help the industry.” “The emergency department doctors are calling for laws to better protect children.” Etymology
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.
Word family
NOUN
Idioms
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Very common
- Level
- C1 · Advanced
- Updated
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QR code
englishreference.com/q/calling
Traducciones: Kaikki.org (Wiktionary), CC BY-SA 4.0