careerist

American  

[kuh-reer-ist] / kəˈrɪər ɪst /

noun

1. a person who follows a career.

2. a person who pursues a policy or attitude of careerism.

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careerist British  

/ kəˈrɪərɪst /

noun

1. a person who values success in his career above all else and seeks to advance it by any possible means

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Other Word Forms

• careerism
  noun

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Etymology

Origin of careerist

First recorded in 1905–10; career + -ist

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

careerist

“No forum is too small, technical or peripheral for careerist Chinese diplomats seeking recognition for defending Beijing’s position,” said Jacob Stokes, a senior fellow at the Washington-based Center for a New American Security think tank.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 20, 2026

Ahmed: It wasn’t that careerist and calculating, to be honest.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 11, 2026

When asked whether his defection was motivated by an opportunity to become MP for Gravesham again, Mr Holloway insisted he was not a "careerist".

From BBC ● Jul. 30, 2025

I am not a careerist; I have no such aspirations.

From Salon ● May 9, 2023

Ordinarily, the careerist is rather obvious, easily recognizable, with diaphanous motives and conduct.

From The Glands Regulating Personality by Louis Berman M.D.

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