occupation
14 synonyms and 0 antonyms for occupation, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — A person's job or profession.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
How to use occupation
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Etymology
From Latin occupatio, "a seizing, taking possession", from occupare — see "occupy".
Full origin of occupation →Frequently asked questions
What does “occupation” mean?
The word “occupation” means a person's job or profession. In plain terms, either a person's job, or the military control of a place.
How do you pronounce “occupation”?
“Occupation” is pronounced ok-yuu-PAY-shuhn (/ˌɑkjʊˈpeɪʃən/ in IPA).
How do you use “occupation” in a sentence?
Here is “occupation” used in a sentence: “Please state your name, age, and occupation on the form.”
What is another word for “occupation”?
Words with a similar meaning to “occupation” include interest, line of work, profession, vocation, avocation and calling.
What part of speech is “occupation”?
“Occupation” is a noun.
Where does the word “occupation” come from?
The word “occupation” comes from Latin. From Latin occupatio, "a seizing, taking possession", from occupare — see "occupy".
Is “occupation” a common word?
“Occupation” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.
How many meanings does “occupation” have?
“Occupation” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a person's job or profession.
What is the difference between "occupation" and "job"?
Both refer to the work someone does, but "occupation" is more formal and often appears on official forms and documents. "Job" is the everyday word and can also refer to a single specific position or task.
What is the difference between "occupation" and "profession"?
A "profession" usually means work that requires special training or qualifications, such as law or medicine. "Occupation" is broader and covers any kind of job, whether or not it needs formal training.
Why does "occupation" also mean military control?
"Occupation" has a second, unrelated meaning: the control of a country or territory by a foreign military force. Context makes clear whether it refers to a person's job or to military control of a place.
What do you write for "occupation" on a form?
On a form, "occupation" asks for your job or profession — for example, teacher, engineer, or student. A short noun describing your line of work is expected, not a full sentence.