What does avocation mean?
An avocation is a secondary pursuit — a hobby, craft, or activity that occupies a person's time and energy outside of their principal profession or livelihood. Unlike a vocation, which denotes one's calling or main work, an avocation is undertaken for pleasure, personal fulfillment, or creative satisfaction rather than financial necessity. The word carries a formal, somewhat literary tone, lending dignity to leisurely pursuits: a surgeon might describe beekeeping as her avocation, or a teacher might call amateur astronomy his. It frequently appears in the construction "X by trade, Y by avocation," which elegantly contrasts the practical with the passionate side of a person's life. Derived from Latin roots meaning "a calling away," the term originally referred to a distraction from duty before evolving into its modern, positive sense. Today it is valued precisely because it frames hobbies not as idle amusement but as meaningful secondary callings worthy of genuine dedication.
nounA minor occupation or hobby pursued alongside one's main profession; something a person does regularly for pleasure rather than as their primary livelihood.
- A hobby or secondary occupation pursued for pleasure alongside one's main profession
- (archaic) A distraction or diversion from one's proper business
"A physician by trade, she devoted her evenings to her avocation of watercolor painting."
"Though he earned his living as an accountant, his true avocation was restoring antique clocks."
"Writing mystery novels remained her avocation even after three decades of practicing law."
The plural is standard when referring to more than one hobby or secondary pursuit of a person or group.
"In retirement he filled his days with several avocations: gardening, chess, and choral singing."
"Avocation" literally means a "calling away" — in the 15th century it meant a distraction that pulled you from your work, and only later did the word soften into something you lovingly pursue.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of avocation
"Avocation" comes from Latin "avocatio," meaning "a calling away" or diversion, formed from "avocare" ("to call away") — itself built on "ab-" (away) and "vocare" ("to call"), the same verb that gives us "vocation." It entered English in the mid-16th century, initially meaning a distraction or diversion from one's proper business. Over time the word shifted to denote a pleasant secondary pursuit, while its sibling "vocation" came to mean one's primary calling. Cognates sharing this Latin root include "invoke," "provoke," and "revoke."
How avocation is actually used
Formal to literary in register; rare in casual speech. The word carries a warm, slightly elevated connotation — it dignifies a pastime by placing it beside one's serious work. Often used in the phrase "X by profession, Y by avocation." Its historical sense of "distraction" is obsolete and should not be used in modern writing.
Easily confused with avocation
An avocation is a hobby or secondary pursuit, while a vocation is one's primary calling, career, or profession.