avocation

[ av-uh-key-shuh n ]

/ ˌæv əˈkeɪ ʃən /

SEE SYNONYMS FOR avocation ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

something a person does in addition to a principal occupation, especially for pleasure; hobby: Our doctor's avocation is painting.

a person's regular occupation, calling, or vocation.

Archaic. diversion or distraction.

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Origin of avocation

1520–30; < Latin āvocātiōn- (stem of āvocātiō) a calling away. See a-⁴, vocation

OTHER WORDS FROM avocation

av·o·ca·tion·al, adjectiveav·o·ca·tion·al·ly, adverb

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH avocation

avocation vocationavocation evocation

Words nearby avocation

avm, avn, avn., avo, avocado, avocation, avocet, avodire, avogadro, avogadro's constant, avogadro's law

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020

Example sentences from the Web for avocation

He stammered, and read and wrote a lot of poetry (mostly in secret), an avocation he changed to photography for the novel.
Colm Toibin Describes The Creation Of His Quiet Masterpiece ‘Nora Webster’|Jennie Yabroff|November 3, 2014|DAILY BEAST
I think it was more a matter of self-consciousness… I always saw writing about music as purely an avocation.
Peter Guralnick: In Love With the Life of Music|Ron Hogan|March 29, 2014|DAILY BEAST
In addition to material obtained in these ways, articles may be secured from specialists who write as an avocation.
How To Write Special Feature Articles|Willard Grosvenor Bleyer
They are supposed to return to their parishes and continue their avocation there.
The Life of Florence Nightingale vol. 1 of 2|Edward Tyas Cook

But it is the cause of a vast amount of misery amongst those who are compelled to seek a house close to their daily avocation.
Christmas Penny Readings|George Manville Fenn
If he did, he would not only have his mind taken from his avocation, but lose the chance of a deal in the market.
Belford's Magazine, Vol 2, December 1888|Various
There is no objection to men of other vocations adopting farming as an avocation if they can afford it.
The Young Farmer: Some Things He Should Know|Thomas Forsyth Hunt

British Dictionary definitions for avocation

avocation

/ (ˌævəˈkeɪʃən) /

noun

formal a minor occupation undertaken as a diversion

not standard a person's regular job or vocation

Word Origin for avocation

C17: from Latin āvocātiō a calling away, diversion from, from āvocāre to distract, from vocāre to call

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

avocation

noun

QUIZZES

CAN YOU ACE THIS QUIZ ABOUT “COMPLIMENT” VS. “COMPLEMENT”?

Origin of avocation

OTHER WORDS FROM avocation

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH avocation

Words nearby avocation

Words related to avocation

Example sentences from the Web for avocation

British Dictionary definitions for avocation

noun

Word Origin for avocation