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

Sixth form colleges are typically larger than sixth forms attached to schools, and can support thousands of 16 to 19-year-old students studying for A-levels, as well as technical and vocational qualifications.

From BBC

But after having her first child at 16, Rayner studied part-time at college, learning British sign language and gaining a vocational qualification in social care.

From BBC

“I believe our most general duty to veterans is to reintegrate them into society after their military service,” he said, urging the Congress members to press the administration on the need for vocational training.

From Los Angeles Times

For high school, the aspiring artist attended Washington Irving, one of the first women’s vocational schools in the city.

From Los Angeles Times

And from the party’s centrist wing, former Obama Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel describes his program as “build, baby, build,” arguing that Democrats should focus on making housing affordable and expanding technical and vocational education.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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