noun
Uncommon
vocation
voh-KAY-shuhn
Vocation (noun) means a job or career that someone feels strongly called or suited to, especially one seen as more than just a way to earn money. Example: “Teaching was more than a job to her — it was a vocation.”
noun
1
A job or career that someone feels strongly called or suited to, especially one seen as more than just a way to earn money.
"Teaching was more than a job to her — it was a vocation."
"He always felt a vocation for medicine, even as a child."
2
A strong inner sense of being called to a particular kind of religious life.
"She entered the convent after feeling a vocation to religious life."
How to use vocation
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA career or calling that feels deeply right for you, not just a paycheck.
Common mistake
Don't mix it up with "vacation" (a holiday) — they look alike but mean completely different things.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
a sense of vocation
find your vocation
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Word forms
- Plural
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Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Teaching was more than a job to her — it was a _____.
Etymology
From Latin vocatio, "a calling," from vocare, "to call" — the same root as "vocal" and "invoke."
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for vocation
region
ablation
allusion
emulsion
ideation
novation
diffusion
elocution
extension
oxidation
perfusion
selection
See all rhymes for vocation →
Frequently asked questions
What does “vocation” mean?
The word “vocation” means a job or career that someone feels strongly called or suited to, especially one seen as more than just a way to earn money. In plain terms, a career or calling that feels deeply right for you, not just a paycheck.
How do you pronounce “vocation”?
“Vocation” is pronounced voh-KAY-shuhn (/voʊˈkeɪʃən/ in IPA).
How do you use “vocation” in a sentence?
Here is “vocation” used in a sentence: “Teaching was more than a job to her — it was a vocation.”
What part of speech is “vocation”?
“Vocation” is a noun.
Where does the word “vocation” come from?
The word “vocation” comes from Latin. From Latin vocatio, "a calling," from vocare, "to call" — the same root as "vocal" and "invoke.".
Is “vocation” a common word?
“Vocation” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “vocation” have?
“Vocation” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a job or career that someone feels strongly called or suited to, especially one seen as more than just a way to earn money.
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