métier

American  

[mey-tyey, mey-tyey] / ˈmeɪ tyeɪ, meɪˈtyeɪ /

noun

1. a field of work; occupation, trade, or profession.

2. a field of work or other activity in which one has special ability or training; forte.

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métier British  

/ ˈmɛtɪeɪ /

noun

1. a profession or trade, esp that to which one is well suited

2. a person's strong point or speciality

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Etymology

Origin of métier

1785–95; < French; Old French mestier < Gallo-Romance *misterium, for Latin ministerium ministry

Explanation

If toasting bread is the limit of your culinary skills, then being a chef is probably not your métier. A métier, in other words, is a job to which you are particularly well suited by your skills. Your métier can also be a particularly outstanding talent or strong point in general. If you're a chef, your divine steak frites might be your métier. If you're a mechanic, your ability to understand transmissions may be your métier. Often used interchangeably with forte, meaning "strong point." As the accent over the "e" in métier implies, it's originally from the French, because the French, darn them, are good at so many things. Particularly steak frites.

Example Sentences

Huneven’s mother was a fierce critic whose métier was the unprovoked insult.

From Los Angeles Times • May 13, 2025

Already you anticipate that some of these interviews aren’t going to go Leonard’s way as Schrader’s métier, the language of self-excoriating doubt, finds voice.

From Los Angeles Times • May 19, 2024

Josh Safdie, though, emphasized the power Ms. Venditti exhibits in her métier: “I believe when she does all these audition tapes, they are a form of filmmaking.”

From New York Times • Apr. 4, 2022

The 48-year-old Californian traveled a rocky path to his novel métier.

From Reuters • Jul. 7, 2021

The representative of Robin Hood is different; and so also she who performs the métier of Maid Marian.

From The White Gauntlet by Reid, Mayne

Related Words

• craft
• field
• forte