What is an Avocation? Understanding Hobbies Beyond Your Career
Learn about avocations – passionate pursuits outside your main job. Discover the meaning, history, and usage of this term, and how it differs from your primary career. Perfect for SAT prep and personal growth.
Imagine you’re a lawyer who spends her weekends painting landscapes, or a teacher who builds custom furniture in his spare time.
These activities aren’t their main jobs, but they’re passionate about them. There’s a specific word for this type of hobby or interest: avocation.
Word type: Avocation is a noun.
Meaning: An avocation is a hobby or minor occupation pursued in addition to one’s main job or profession.
It’s an activity that brings joy, fulfillment, or relaxation, often pursued during leisure time.
Word history:
The term avocation has Latin roots. It comes from the Latin word avocationem, which means a distraction or a calling away.
The prefix a means away from, and vocare means to call. Over time, the meaning evolved to represent an activity that calls one away from their primary vocation or job.
Antonyms: Some antonyms for avocation include vocation, profession, career, and occupation. While an avocation is a secondary pursuit, these words typically refer to one’s primary job or life’s work.
Synonyms: Synonyms for avocation include hobby, pastime, sideline, leisure activity, and diversion. These words all describe activities done for pleasure rather than as a main occupation.
Examples use in sentences: Here are a few examples of how to use avocation in a sentence: Photography had always been James’s avocation, but he never expected it to turn into a successful career.
Despite her demanding job as a surgeon, Maria found time for her avocation of writing mystery novels.
Many retirees turn their lifelong avocations into small businesses, combining passion with entrepreneurship.
Common errors in use: One common mistake is confusing avocation with vocation. Remember, a vocation is your primary occupation or calling, while an avocation is a secondary interest or hobby.
Another error is using avocation to describe any leisure activity. An avocation implies a level of seriousness and dedication beyond casual interests.
To wrap up, an avocation is a passionate pursuit outside of your main job. It’s an activity that brings fulfillment and allows you to explore interests beyond your primary career.
As you prepare for the SAT, remember that understanding words like avocation can help you not only in the vocabulary section but also in reading comprehension.
Think about your own life. Do you have an avocation? If not, what activities or interests might you pursue as one?
Recognizing the balance between vocation and avocation can lead to a richer, more satisfying life experience.
