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

Words related to avocation

pastime, recreation, sideline, shot, thing, diversion, kick, amusement, occupation, schtick

Example sentences from the Web for avocation

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