Career: meaning, definitions and examples

๐Ÿ’ผ
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career

 

[ kษ™หˆrษชษ™ ]

Noun / Verb
Oxford 3000
Context #1 | Noun

job development

A person's progress or general course of action through life or through a distinct phase of life, as in some profession or occupation.

Synonyms

occupation, profession, vocation.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
career

Describes a long-term professional journey, usually involving progress in a specific field. Often used in contexts of personal growth and job satisfaction.

  • She has built a successful career in finance.
  • He is considering a career change.
profession

Indicates a job requiring advanced education or training, often standardized by exams or certifications. Used to denote respect and seriousness.

  • Law is a demanding profession.
  • He is highly respected in the teaching profession.
occupation

Refers to any job or role someone undertakes, often used in formal or legal contexts like forms or surveys.

  • Please state your occupation for the records.
  • Her occupation as a nurse is very demanding.
vocation

Signifies a job or way of life that someone feels particularly suited to or called to; often has a religious or service-related connotation.

  • She feels nursing is her true vocation.
  • He pursued his vocation in music despite the challenges.

Examples of usage

  • Her career as a lawyer spanned over two decades.
  • He decided to change careers and pursue his passion for photography.
Context #2 | Verb

move swiftly and in an uncontrolled way

To move swiftly and in an uncontrolled way in a specified direction.

Synonyms

dash, hurtle, plunge.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
career

Best used when describing a vehicle or person moving in an uncontrolled, often dangerous way.

  • The car careered off the road and into a tree.
  • She careered down the hill on her bicycle.
hurtle

Describes something or someone moving very fast in a way that seems dangerous or out of control.

  • The meteor hurtled toward the Earth.
  • The skier hurtled down the slope at breakneck speed.
dash

Often used when someone or something moves very quickly with a sense of urgency or purpose.

  • He dashed to catch the last bus.
  • The child dashed across the playground.
plunge

Typically used when someone or something moves suddenly and quickly downward or forward, often into water or a difficult situation.

  • He plunged into the icy river.
  • The stock market plunged unexpectedly.

Examples of usage

  • The car careered off the road and crashed into a tree.
  • The ball careered across the field after being kicked.

Translations

Translations of the word "career" in other languages:

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡น carreira

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ณ เค•เฅˆเคฐเคฟเคฏเคฐ

๐Ÿ‡ฉ๐Ÿ‡ช Karriere

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ฉ karier

๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ะบะฐั€'ั”ั€ะฐ

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡ฑ kariera

๐Ÿ‡ฏ๐Ÿ‡ต ใ‚ญใƒฃใƒชใ‚ข

๐Ÿ‡ซ๐Ÿ‡ท carriรจre

๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡ธ carrera

๐Ÿ‡น๐Ÿ‡ท kariyer

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ท ๊ฒฝ๋ ฅ (gyeonglyeok)

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ู…ู‡ู†ุฉ

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ฟ kariรฉra

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฐ kariรฉra

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ณ ่Œไธš (zhรญyรจ)

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฎ kariera

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ธ ferill

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ฟ ะผะฐะฝัะฐะฟ

๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ช แƒ™แƒแƒ แƒ˜แƒ”แƒ แƒ

๐Ÿ‡ฆ๐Ÿ‡ฟ karyera

๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡ฝ carrera

Etymology

The word 'career' originated in the 16th century from the Middle French 'carriere', meaning 'racecourse'. Over time, the meaning evolved to refer to one's progression or course of action in life or in a specific profession. The concept of a career has become increasingly important in modern society as individuals seek meaningful and fulfilling work.

See also: care, carefree, careful, carefully, carefulness, caregiver, caregiving, careless, carelessly, carelessness, caress, caretaker, caretakers, caretaking, caring, caringly, overcareful, ultracareful, uncaring, uncaringly.

Word Frequency Rank

This word ranks #1,828, placing it within important intermediate vocabulary. Learning it will significantly improve your ability to express yourself in English.