vocational

[voh-key-shuh-nl]

adjective

1. of, relating to, or connected with a vocation or occupation.

   a vocational aptitude.

2. of, relating to, or noting instruction or guidance in an occupation or profession chosen as a career or in the choice of a career.

   a vocational counselor.

vocational

/ vəʊˈkeɪʃənəl /

adjective

1. of or relating to a vocation or vocations

2. of or relating to applied educational courses concerned with skills needed for an occupation, trade, or profession

   vocational training

Other Word Forms

• vocationally adverb
• nonvocational adjective
• nonvocationally adverb
• quasi-vocational adjective
• quasi-vocationally adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of vocational¹

First recorded in 1645–55; vocation + -al ¹

Example Sentences

Labor-market disruption: With 10 million unfilled U.S. jobs requiring specific skills, vocational training commands premium pricing.

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These moves are part of a larger shift back to vocational education in the U.S., fueled by a desire among educators to get students started sooner on career paths that interest them.

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In June, he completed a heating, ventilation and air conditioning certificate from a vocational school.

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He set up 529 accounts, which have historically been used to pay for college, but today can be put to use outside of higher education, including elementary and secondary-school tuition and vocational training programs.

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It has also funded university and vocational training for 41 of the children.

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Related Words

• high-tech 
• industrial 
• mechanical 
• professional 
• scholarly 
• scientific 
• special 
• specialized 
• technological