Hobbies vs. Jobs: What’s Your Fun vs. Funds?

Avocation vs Vocation

What Do They Mean?

Avocation means a hobby or something you do for fun when you are not working.

Vocation means your main job or the work you do for most of your time.

History of the Words

Avocation: This word comes from Latin. It means something that “calls you away” from your main job.

Vocation: This word also comes from Latin. It means a “calling” to do a certain type of work, usually something serious or important.

How to Use Them

You use avocation when talking about things you do for fun, like painting, reading, or playing a sport.

You use vocation when talking about the job you do most of the time, like teaching, nursing, or building houses.

Trick to Remember the Difference

Think of avocation as “away” from work. It is something you do when you are not working.

Think of vocation as a “vital” job. It is your main work.

Example Sentences

Avocation

• Painting is her favorite avocation.
• He enjoys bird watching as an avocation.
• Reading books is my avocation.
• She takes knitting as her avocation.
• Gardening is a relaxing avocation for him.

Vocation

• Teaching is my vocation.
• He found his vocation in nursing.
• Being a doctor is her vocation.
• Carpentry is his vocation.
• She chose writing as her vocation.

Summary

Avocation is something you do for fun, not as your main job.

Vocation is your main job or career.

Remember, avocation is “away” from work, and vocation is a “vital” job.