Word
vocation
Phoneticsvo·ca·tion, stress on the second syllable
US/voʊˈkeɪʃən/
UK/vəʊkˈeɪʃən/
Definitions
01a life's work
C1 · Advanced Countable noun Formal
n. a job or career that you feel you were born to do, usually because it helps people or serves a purpose.
n. a strong inclination toward a particular state or course of action, especially a specific career path that involves service to others.
Español:vocación
“Nursing is more than just a job for her; it is a true vocation.”
“Many young people struggle to find their vocation in a modern economy that prioritizes immediate financial gain over personal fulfillment.”
Usage
Often used with the verbs 'find', 'follow', or 'have'.
02religious calling
C2 · Proficiency Countable noun Religion Formal · Technical
n. a strong feeling that God is calling you to become a priest, monk, or nun.
n. a divine call to a religious life, specifically within the context of holy orders or a religious community.
Español:vocación
“He entered the monastery after feeling a deep vocation to serve the church.”
“The bishop spoke to the students about the importance of listening for a vocation in an increasingly secular world.”
Usage
Commonly used in the phrase 'a vocation to the priesthood'.
Synonyms
03trade or profession
B2 · Upper Intermediate Countable noun
n. a person's main job or the work they are trained to do.
n. the work in which a person is regularly employed; a trade or profession.
“The school provides training for students entering a technical vocation like carpentry.”
“The government increased funding for vocational training to ensure workers had the skills required for industrial roles.”
Usage
Frequently appears as the adjective 'vocational' in educational contexts.
Synonyms
Real-World Examples
“The country still needs to increase the amount of apprenticeships it offers, and guide children who are not on a pathway to university into vocations, he says.” “Mary found her vocation in the 1970s and 80s, as an academic specialising in disability in the social sciences faculty of the Open University, where she worked closely with Vic Finkelstein .” Etymology
From Middle English vocacioun, from Old French vocation, from Latin vocātiō.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
NOUN
ADJECTIVE
- 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
- Frequent
- Level
- C1 · Advanced
- Updated
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englishreference.com/q/vocation
Traducciones: Kaikki.org (Wiktionary), CC BY-SA 4.0