Jobs: meaning, definitions and examples

💼
Add to dictionary

jobs

 

[ dʒɒbz ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

work opportunities

Jobs are positions of employment that a person can apply for in order to earn money. They can be full-time or part-time, temporary or permanent. Jobs can vary in skill level and required qualifications.

Synonyms

employment, occupation, position.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

arrow down
Word Description / Examples
jobs

Used in a general sense to refer to tasks or roles that people do to earn money. It can also refer to specific tasks assigned to someone.

  • Many people have multiple jobs to make ends meet.
  • One of my jobs is to manage the schedule.
employment

Used in a more formal or broad context to describe the state of having paid work.

  • Many people are looking for employment in the tech industry.
  • She found employment with a reputable firm.
occupation

Used to describe one's main work or profession, often in formal or written contexts.

  • His occupation is in the medical field.
  • Please state your occupation on the form.
position

Used to refer to a specific role or job title within an organization. It usually implies a defined scope of responsibilities.

  • She applied for the position of marketing manager.
  • There is an open position in the sales department.

Examples of usage

  • There are many job openings in the tech industry.
  • She applied for a job as a software developer.
  • He lost his job during the economic downturn.
Context #2 | Noun

specific tasks

Jobs can also refer to specific tasks or pieces of work that need to be done. These tasks can be assigned to individuals or teams, and are usually part of a larger project or goal.

Synonyms

assignment, project, task.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

arrow down
Word Description / Examples
jobs

Refers to a person's main occupation or regular work. Used broadly to denote employment or profession.

  • She got a new job as a teacher.
  • My job requires me to travel a lot.
task

Refers to a piece of work to be done or undertaken, usually as part of a job or project, often specific and of shorter duration.

  • One of my tasks today is to respond to customer emails.
  • The first task for the volunteers is to set up the chairs for the event.
assignment

Typically used in academic or work settings to signify a specific piece of work or duty assigned to someone.

  • Our teacher gave us a math assignment to complete by Friday.
  • He was given the assignment to organize the team's meeting.
project

Used to describe a planned set of activities or tasks meant to achieve a particular goal, often with a clear start and end.

  • The construction of the new bridge is a major project for the city.
  • They are working on a marketing project to boost sales.

Examples of usage

  • We need someone to take on the job of updating the website.
  • The marketing team divided the jobs among themselves.
  • Her job was to research competitors' products.
Context #3 | Noun

criminal activities

In some contexts, 'jobs' can refer to criminal activities or illegal tasks that someone is hired to do, such as robberies or burglaries.

Synonyms

criminal activities, illegal tasks.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

arrow down
Word Description / Examples
jobs

When referring to professional or employment-related tasks and positions.

  • He is looking for a new job in marketing
  • She had two part-time jobs last summer
criminal activities

When discussing actions that break the law, typically used in formal or legal contexts.

  • The police are investigating his involvement in criminal activities
  • Organized criminal activities have increased in the area
illegal tasks

When referring to specific tasks or actions that are against the law. Can be used in both casual and formal contexts.

  • He was arrested for performing illegal tasks such as fraud and hacking
  • Many illegal tasks were discovered during the police raid

Examples of usage

  • The gang planned a series of high-profile jobs in the city.
  • He was arrested for his involvement in a bank job.
  • The police are investigating a string of jewelry store jobs.

Translations

Translations of the word "jobs" in other languages:

🇵🇹 empregos

🇮🇳 नौकरियां

🇩🇪 Jobs

🇮🇩 pekerjaan

🇺🇦 роботи

🇵🇱 prace

🇯🇵 仕事

🇫🇷 emplois

🇪🇸 trabajos

🇹🇷 işler

🇰🇷 직업

🇸🇦 وظائف

🇨🇿 práce

🇸🇰 práce

🇨🇳 工作

🇸🇮 dela

🇮🇸 störf

🇰🇿 жұмыстар

🇬🇪 სამსახური

🇦🇿 işlər

🇲🇽 trabajos

Etymology

The word 'jobs' originated in the early 16th century, derived from the Middle English word 'jobbe', meaning a piece of work. It has evolved to encompass various meanings related to work opportunities, specific tasks, and even criminal activities. The concept of jobs has been central to human societies as a means of earning a living and contributing to the economy.

See also: job, jobless, joblessness.

Word Frequency Rank

This word ranks #1,996, placing it within important intermediate vocabulary. Learning it will significantly improve your ability to express yourself in English.