Avocation vs. Vocation — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman — Updated on October 5, 2023
Avocation is a hobby or secondary occupation; Vocation is a person's main profession or calling, often linked to innate talent or passion.
Difference Between Avocation and Vocation
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Avocation denotes an activity or pursuit that someone engages in, usually for enjoyment and often outside of their primary job. Vocation, on the other hand, relates more closely to a person's main profession or calling, typically guided by a particular talent, inclination, or passion.
While someone might find pleasure in their Avocation, it's not what pays the bills or defines their primary societal role. Vocation, in contrast, is more deeply tied to one's identity and purpose, as it's often what they're trained for or feel they're meant to do in life.
Someone's Avocation could be painting, fishing, or playing an instrument, activities they relish during their free time. However, their Vocation could be teaching, engineering, or medicine — roles they've been educated for and which make up their primary work.
Interestingly, the roots of the word Avocation come from the idea of "calling away" or diverting from one's primary focus. Vocation's roots, in contrast, lean towards a "calling" or a lifelong pursuit, underscoring the depth and centrality of this activity in a person's life.
It's not unusual for an Avocation to turn into a Vocation over time. For example, a hobbyist painter might transition into a professional artist. However, what starts as a Vocation can't typically become an Avocation since vocations are deeply ingrained in identity and purpose.
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Comparison Chart
Nature
Hobby or secondary activity
Main profession or calling
Purpose
Enjoyment or leisure
Livelihood or life's calling
Economic Role
Often doesn't provide main income
Typically the source of primary income
Depth
Can be casual or deep, but secondary
Central to identity; often linked to innate talent
Origins
Derived from "calling away"
Rooted in the concept of "calling" or life's purpose
Compare with Definitions
Avocation
Avocation can be a sideline or secondary pursuit.
While he's a lawyer by day, jazz music is his Avocation.
Vocation
Vocation is a primary profession or occupation.
Nursing was more than just a job for her; it was a Vocation.
Avocation
Avocation is something one is drawn to outside of work.
Many find an Avocation in nature walks or bird-watching.
Vocation
Vocation is often linked to a deep passion or calling.
From a young age, he felt his Vocation was to be a writer.
Avocation
Avocation is a leisure activity done for enjoyment.
Gardening has always been her favorite Avocation.
Vocation
Vocation can signify what someone is naturally suited for.
Some believe that everyone has a Vocation waiting to be discovered.
Avocation
Avocation is often contrasted with one's main job.
Although coding is his job, his Avocation is poetry.
Vocation
Vocation often implies formal training or education.
He went to school to pursue his Vocation in architecture.
Avocation
An avocation is an activity that someone engages in as a hobby outside their main occupation. There are many examples of people whose professions were the ways that they made their livings, but for whom their activities outside their workplaces were their true passions in life.
Vocation
Vocation is central to an individual's identity.
For many, finding their Vocation is a lifelong journey.
Avocation
A hobby or minor occupation
They are basically doctors, and negotiators by avocation
Vocation
A vocation (from Latin vocatio 'a call, summons') is an occupation to which a person is especially drawn or for which they are suited, trained, or qualified. People can be given information about a new occupation through student orientation.
Avocation
An activity taken up in addition to one's regular work or profession, usually for enjoyment; a hobby.
Vocation
A strong feeling of suitability for a particular career or occupation
Not all of us have a vocation to be nurses or doctors
Avocation
(obsolete) A calling away; a diversion.
Vocation
A regular occupation, especially one for which a person is particularly suited or qualified.
Avocation
A hobby or recreational or leisure pursuit.
Vocation
An inclination or aptness for a certain kind of work
A vocation for medicine.
Avocation
That which calls one away from one's regular employment or vocation.
Vocation
(Theology) A calling of an individual by God, especially for a religious career.
Avocation
Pursuits; duties; affairs which occupy one's time; usual employment; vocation.
Vocation
An inclination to undertake a certain kind of work, especially a religious career; often in response to a perceived summons; a calling.
Avocation
The calling of a case from an inferior to a superior court.
Vocation
An occupation for which a person is suited, trained or qualified.
Nursing is a vocation, which many people find horrendous.
Avocation
A calling away; a diversion.
Impulses to duty, and powerful avocations from sin.
Vocation
A call; a summons; a citation; especially, a designation or appointment to a particular state, business, or profession.
What can be urged for them who not having the vocation of poverty to scribble, out of mere wantonness make themselves ridiculous?
Avocation
That which calls one away from one's regular employment or vocation.
Heaven is his vocation, and therefore he counts earthly employments avocations.
By the secular cares and avocations which accompany marriage the clergy have been furnished with skill in common life.
Vocation
Destined or appropriate employment; calling; occupation; trade; business; profession.
He would think his service greatly rewarded, if he might obtain by that means to live in the sight of his prince, and yet practice his own chosen vocation.
Avocation
Pursuits; duties; affairs which occupy one's time; usual employment; vocation.
There are professions, among the men, no more favorable to these studies than the common avocations of women.
In a few hours, above thirty thousand men left his standard, and returned to their ordinary avocations.
An irregularity and instability of purpose, which makes them choose the wandering avocations of a shepherd, rather than the more fixed pursuits of agriculture.
Vocation
A calling by the will of God.
Avocation
An auxiliary activity
Vocation
The bestowment of God's distinguishing grace upon a person or nation, by which that person or nation is put in the way of salvation; as, the vocation of the Jews under the old dispensation, and of the Gentiles under the gospel.
Avocation
Avocation doesn't typically define one's primary identity.
She's a banker, but her true Avocation is pottery.
Vocation
A call to special religious work, as to the ministry.
Every member of the same [the Church], in his vocation and ministry.
Vocation
The particular occupation for which you are trained
Vocation
A body of people doing the same kind of work
Common Curiosities
How do Avocation and Vocation differ in depth?
Avocations can be casual, while Vocations often define identity and life's purpose.
What is an Avocation?
An Avocation is a hobby or secondary activity usually pursued for enjoyment.
Is Vocation always a lifelong commitment?
Typically, but people can have multiple Vocational phases throughout life.
Is a Vocation always chosen, or can it be inherent?
Some believe we have inherent Vocational callings, while others think it's chosen.
Can an Avocation provide income?
While it's possible, Avocations typically aren't the primary source of income.
Is it essential to identify one's Vocation?
It's subjective, but many find fulfillment in identifying and pursuing their Vocation.
What does Vocation mean?
Vocation refers to one's main profession, often linked to a deep passion or calling.
Is Vocation always about paid work?
Not always. A Vocation can be any central calling in life, even if unpaid.
Can an Avocation become a Vocation?
Yes, many turn their passions (Avocations) into their main professions (Vocations).
Do Avocations require training?
Not necessarily, but some may choose to train in their Avocation.
Why is Vocation so central to identity?
Because it often relates to one's innate talents, education, and life's purpose.
Do people usually have multiple Avocations?
It's common for individuals to have multiple hobbies or Avocations.
Are all hobbies Avocations?
Most hobbies can be considered Avocations, but not all Avocations are mere hobbies.
Can Avocation and Vocation intersect?
Certainly! For some, their Avocation and Vocation are one and the same.
Can one's job be separate from their Vocation?
Yes, some may work jobs outside of their primary Vocation.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
