- 1[countable] a type of work or way of life that you believe is especially suitable for you synonym calling Nursing is not just a job—it's a vocation. She believes that she has found her true vocation in life. You missed your vocation—you should have been an actor. CollocationsJobsGetting a job look for work look for/apply for/go for a job get/pick up/complete/fill out/ (British English) fill in an application (form) send/email your (British English) CV/(North American English) résumé/application/application form/covering letter be called for/have/attend an interview offer somebody a job/work/employment/promotion find/get/land a job employ/ (especially North American English) hire/recruit/ (especially British English) take on staff/workers/trainees recruit/appoint a managerDoing a job arrive at/get to/leave work/the office/the factory start/finish work/your shift do/put in/work overtime have/gain/get/lack/need experience/qualifications do/get/have/receive training learn/pick up/improve/develop (your) skills cope with/manage/share/spread the workload improve your/achieve a better work-life balance have (no) job satisfaction/job securityBuilding a career have a job/work/a career/a vocation find/follow/pursue/ (especially North American English) live (out) your vocation enter/go into/join a profession choose/embark on/start/begin/pursue a career change jobs/profession/career be/ (both especially British English) work/go freelance do/take on temp work/freelance work do/be engaged in/be involved in voluntary workLeaving your job leave/ (especially North American English) quit/resign from your job give up work/your job/your career hand in your notice/resignation plan to/be due to retire in June/next year, etc. take early retirement Oxford Collocations Dictionary adjectivetrue, Christian, religious, … verb + vocationfind, have, follow, … prepositionvocation for, vocation to phrasesa sense of vocation See full entry
- 2[countable, uncountable] vocation (for something) a belief that a particular type of work or way of life is especially suitable for you He has a vocation for teaching. She is a doctor with a strong sense of vocation. Oxford Collocations Dictionary adjectivetrue, Christian, religious, … verb + vocationfind, have, follow, … prepositionvocation for, vocation to phrasesa sense of vocation See full entry
- 3[countable, uncountable] a belief that you have been chosen by God to be a priest or nun a vocation to the priesthood Oxford Collocations Dictionary adjectivetrue, Christian, religious, … verb + vocationfind, have, follow, … prepositionvocation for, vocation to phrasesa sense of vocation See full entry Word Originlate Middle English: from Old French, or from Latin vocatio(n-), from vocare ‘to call’.Extra examples She feels that she missed her vocation by not working with children. She seems to have a vocation for healing. She struggled for years to find her true vocation. They are set on living out their vocation as priests. This is a job that demands a sense of vocation. He is desperate to follow his vocation as an artist. He spoke about his vocation to the priesthood. Nursing is not just a job—it’s a vocation. You missed your vocation —you should have been an actor.
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