avocation
C2 (Very Low Frequency)Formal, literary
Definition
Meaning
A hobby or minor occupation, pursued in addition to one's main job; an activity done for enjoyment.
A secondary calling, interest, or activity that one engages in alongside their primary profession or vocation. Historically, it could also refer to a distraction from one's main pursuits.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Historically, the term has had a semantic shift. In older usage (16th-18th century), it often meant a distraction or diversion from one's regular calling (vocation). The modern, dominant meaning is a hobby or secondary pursuit, but one with a connotation of being serious or absorbing, often beyond a casual pastime. Can be used humorously to elevate a simple hobby.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in primary meaning. The term is equally formal and low-frequency in both varieties.
Connotations
In both varieties, it carries a somewhat formal, slightly old-fashioned, or educated tone. It often implies the activity is more serious or substantial than a mere 'hobby'.
Frequency
Extremely low frequency in everyday speech in both the UK and US. More likely to be encountered in writing (biographies, essays, formal profiles) than in conversation.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
His avocation is [NOUN PHRASE/GERUND] (e.g., gardening).He pursued [ART] avocation of [NOUN/GERUND].She found an avocation in [NOUN PHRASE].Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[No common idioms specifically with 'avocation']”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Rare. Might appear in a professional biography: 'Outside of finance, his avocation is woodworking.'
Academic
Appears in texts discussing work-life balance, leisure studies, or historical semantics.
Everyday
Very rare in casual conversation. If used, it's often with a slightly self-conscious or humorous formality.
Technical
Not used in technical fields. A 'term of art' in specific philosophical or theological discussions about 'calling'.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- [No standard verb form. 'Avocate' is obsolete.]
American English
- [No standard verb form. 'Avocate' is obsolete.]
adverb
British English
- [No adverb form]
American English
- [No adverb form]
adjective
British English
- [No common adjective form. 'Avocational' is possible but very rare.]
- He took an avocational interest in beekeeping.
American English
- [No common adjective form. 'Avocational' is possible but very rare.]
- She attended avocational workshops on pottery.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- [Too complex for A2. Use 'hobby' instead.]
- [Still very rare at B1. Instruct to use 'hobby' or 'interest'.]
- His main job is in IT, but his avocation is restoring classic cars.
- For many people, gardening is more than a hobby; it's a true avocation.
- She managed to parlay her legal training and her avocation for photography into a successful second career.
- The conference explored the porous boundary between a professional vocation and a personal avocation in the creative industries.
- He spoke of poetry not as a mere pastime, but as a serious avocation that gave meaning to his life outside the office.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of AVOCATION as a side-gig you're AVID about (A-VOC-ation). It's not your VOCation (main job), but a related 'calling' you do for love.
Conceptual Metaphor
A SECONDARY CALLING / PATH (The 'voc' root relates to 'voice' or 'calling'). An avocation is a parallel, less-traveled road next to the main highway of one's career.
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do NOT translate as 'авиация' (aviation).
- The closest equivalent is 'хобби' or 'любимое занятие', but it is more formal.
- The Russian word 'вокация' is a direct cognate but is extremely rare and technical. Stick with 'хобби' or 'побочное занятие'.
Common Mistakes
- Confusing it with 'vocation' (its near-opposite).
- Mispronouncing it as /ˈævəkeɪʃən/ (like 'avocado'). The primary stress is on the third syllable.
- Using it to mean a casual, trivial hobby without the connotation of serious engagement.
Practice
Quiz
In modern English, which of the following is the closest synonym to 'avocation'?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
'Vocation' is one's primary calling, profession, or career. 'Avocation' is a secondary pursuit or hobby done alongside one's vocation.
No, it is a low-frequency, formal word. In everyday conversation, 'hobby', 'pastime', or 'interest' are far more common.
Yes, but this is an archaic meaning from the 16th-18th centuries, derived from Latin 'avocare' (to call away). The modern meaning is almost exclusively a serious hobby.
UK: /ˌavə(ʊ)ˈkeɪʃ(ə)n/ (av-oh-KAY-shun). US: /ˌævəˈkeɪʃ(ə)n/ (av-uh-KAY-shun). The stress is always on the third syllable.
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