Career break: meaning, definitions and examples
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career break
[ kəˈrɪər breɪk ]
professional development
A career break is a period of time during which an individual interrupts their career to pursue other interests or commitments. This break can range from a few months to several years and is often used for personal development, travel, further education, or family responsibilities.
Synonyms
leave of absence, sabbatical, time off.
Which Synonym Should You Choose?
Word | Description / Examples |
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career break |
A career break is usually taken by someone who wants to take an extended period away from their job, often to travel, take care of family, or pursue personal interests. This term is commonly used in professional settings.
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sabbatical |
A sabbatical is a paid or unpaid break from work that professionals, such as academics and researchers, often take to study, write, or travel. This term is commonly used in academic and research settings.
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leave of absence |
A leave of absence is typically a formal request for time away from work that can be granted by an employer for reasons such as health issues, personal matters, or educational purposes. It's often used in more formal or bureaucratic contexts.
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time off |
Time off is a general term that refers to any period when someone is not working, often for resting or taking a short break. It can be used in both casual and formal settings.
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Examples of usage
- I decided to take a career break to travel around the world.
- She took a career break to care for her sick parent.
- During her career break, she pursued a master's degree in psychology.
work-life balance
A career break can also refer to a deliberate pause in one's career to focus on personal well-being, family, or other non-work-related activities. It is seen as a way to recharge and avoid burnout, allowing individuals to return to work refreshed and motivated.
Synonyms
breather, intermission, time out.
Which Synonym Should You Choose?
Word | Description / Examples |
---|---|
career break |
This term is often used when someone takes an extended period off work, usually lasting several months to a few years, to pursue other interests, to rest, or to take care of personal matters.
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intermission |
Intermission is typically used in the context of performances or events to describe a break between parts of the event, usually to allow the audience to rest or refresh themselves.
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time out |
Often used in sports or informal situations when someone needs to take a short break for rest or to address something urgent. It can also imply a need to calm down, especially for children.
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breather |
This term is used for a short break to rest and recover, often during a workday or after a strenuous activity.
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Examples of usage
- After experiencing burnout, she decided to take a career break to focus on her mental health.
- He took a career break to spend more time with his family.
Translations
Translations of the word "career break" in other languages:
🇵🇹 pausa na carreira
🇮🇳 कैरियर ब्रेक
🇩🇪 Karrierepause
🇮🇩 istirahat karir
🇺🇦 перерва в кар'єрі
🇵🇱 przerwa w karierze
🇯🇵 キャリアブレイク
🇫🇷 pause de carrière
🇪🇸 pausa en la carrera
🇹🇷 kariyer molası
🇰🇷 경력 중단
🇸🇦 فترة توقف عن العمل
🇨🇿 přestávka v kariéře
🇸🇰 prestávka v kariére
🇨🇳 职业生涯中断
🇸🇮 premor v karieri
🇮🇸 ferill hlé
🇰🇿 мансаптағы үзіліс
🇬🇪 კარიერის შესვენება
🇦🇿 karyera fasiləsi
🇲🇽 pausa en la carrera
Etymology
The concept of a career break originated in the mid-20th century as more women entered the workforce and sought ways to balance work and family responsibilities. Over time, it has become a common practice for individuals of all genders to take breaks from their careers for various reasons.