vocation

What does “vocation” mean?

noun.a strong feeling of suitability for a particular career or occupation.

SAT Usage

this term is often found in passages related to career choices, personal fulfillment, or discussions of passion versus obligation in work. It emphasizes a deep, intrinsic alignment with one’s career path, distinguishing it from terms like “job” or “occupation,” which lack the connotation of personal calling or enthusiasm.

Common Confusions

Vocation implies a deep, personal calling towards a career, while occupation usually suggests a more neutral term for the work one does, often without the connotation of passion or fulfillment.

Example Sentences

• Teaching was not just a job to her but a true vocation.

• The vocation she felt was overwhelming.

Word Parts: How to Remember “vocation”

Break “vocation” into its parts: -voc- (voice, call). Knowing roots like these helps you decode unfamiliar SAT vocabulary.

• Root: -voc- voice, call (Latin)