Quick answer: A vocation is your main work or calling, the thing you do for a living or feel called to do. An avocation is a side pursuit you do for enjoyment alongside your main work, much like a serious hobby. Think of the “a” in avocation as “aside” or “away” from your main job.
Avocation vs Vocation Quiz: Test Yourself
Avocation vs Vocation Flip Cards
Tap or click a card to see its meaning and an example.
Example: Teaching was her true vocation.
Example: Birdwatching is his avocation.
Example: Vocation is a “calling”; avocation is a “calling away.”
Example: We took a vacation in May.
Avocation vs vocation is a pair that people mix up because they look nearly identical and both relate to what you do with your time. The key is that one is your main work and the other is the thing you do on the side. This guide covers the meaning of each, their shared Latin root and a few memory tricks.
| Term | Meaning | Part of speech / Category | Example sentence |
|---|---|---|---|
| vocation | A person’s main work, or a strong calling toward it | Noun | Nursing is her vocation. |
| avocation | A side pursuit done for enjoyment, in addition to one’s main work | Noun | His avocation is restoring old clocks. |
| vocational | Relating to a trade or occupation | Adjective | She took a vocational course in welding. |
| hobby | A near-synonym of avocation for a leisure activity | Noun | Gardening is a relaxing hobby. |
What does “vocation” mean?
A vocation is a person’s main work, or a strong sense of being drawn to a particular kind of work. It started out as a religious idea: a summons or calling, especially to religious life. Today it also means a trade or occupation, whether manual or professional.
Saying something is “a vocation” rather than “a job” suggests deep personal commitment. For example: “For her, nursing was never just a job; it was a vocation.”
What does “avocation” mean?
An avocation is something you pursue for enjoyment in addition to your main work. It is the thing you do on evenings and weekends, often with real passion. For example: “By day he is an accountant, but painting is his avocation.”
The word is close to “hobby,” but it often suggests a more serious or committed interest, such as a craft, a sport, a musical instrument or a study. Merriam-Webster defines it as a pursuit done in addition to one’s vocation.
Is an avocation the same as a hobby?
Nearly, yes. An avocation is a pastime pursued alongside your main work, so it overlaps strongly with a hobby. The difference is usually tone: “hobby” can sound casual, while “avocation” tends to suggest a deeper, more devoted interest.
Either word works for something you do for pleasure. Choose avocation when you want to stress that the activity is separate from, but still meaningful next to, your career.
Can “avocation” mean your main job?
Some dictionaries list that meaning, but you should avoid it. Merriam-Webster includes “regular occupation” as a sense of avocation, and Etymonline says people started using it that way in the 1660s but calls it improper. To stay clear, use “vocation” or “occupation” for your main work and “avocation” for the side pursuit.
Where do “vocation” and “avocation” come from?
Both words come from the Latin verb vocare, “to call,” which is related to vox, “voice.” Vocation comes from vocatio, “a calling,” and entered English in the early 1400s with a spiritual sense. Avocation comes from avocatio, “a calling away,” built from ab (“away”) and vocare.
That origin explains the modern split nicely. A vocation is what you are called to, and an avocation is what calls you away from your main business.
How can you remember avocation vs vocation?
Link the “a” in avocation to “away” or “aside.” An avocation is the interest that pulls you aside from your main work. The memory tricks below give two more quick checks.
Common mistakes with avocation and vocation
- Teaching is my avocation; I do it full time. → Teaching is my vocation; I do it full time.
- Her vocation is weekend gardening, which she does for fun. → Her avocation is weekend gardening, which she does for fun.
- We booked an avocation in Spain. → We booked a vacation in Spain.
- He took a vocation to the beach. → He took a vacation to the beach.
- An avocation is always how you earn money. → An avocation is usually a side pursuit done for enjoyment.
Memory tricks
- A for Aside: The “a” in avocation points to the activity you do aside from your main work.
- Call test: If it is the work you feel called to or live by, use vocation. If it is the pastime that calls you away from work, use avocation.
- Vacation check: A vacation is a break from work. An avocation is something you do next to your work.
FAQ
What is the difference between avocation and vocation?
A vocation is your main work or calling. An avocation is a side pursuit you do for enjoyment alongside it.
Is an avocation the same as a hobby?
Very close. An avocation is usually a hobby or pastime pursued in addition to your main work, often with real commitment.
Does avocation ever mean a main job?
Some dictionaries list that sense, but Etymonline calls it improper, so use vocation or occupation when you mean your main work.
Where does vocation come from?
It comes from the Latin vocatio, “a calling,” from the verb vocare, “to call,” and it first meant a spiritual calling.
Is avocation the same as vacation?
No. An avocation is a side pursuit, while a vacation is a break from work. They are different words with different meanings.
Conclusion
Avocation vs vocation is simple once you remember the split: a vocation is your main work or calling, and an avocation is the pursuit you enjoy on the side. Keep the “a for aside” trick in mind and you will pick the right word. Share this with someone who mixes these up.