What does vacationist mean?
A vacationist is a person who is away from ordinary work or study because of a holiday or vacation. The word focuses on the person’s temporary break rather than on the destination, sightseeing, or the status of being a traveler in general. In this sense, it can describe someone taking a short break near home as readily as someone crossing an international border. Vacationist is a relatively uncommon, somewhat formal noun, and its distribution is strongest in North American English, where “vacation” is the usual term; British speakers are more likely to say “holidaymaker” or “holiday.” It is useful when the emphasis is on the activity of taking a vacation and on the person’s temporary status away from regular responsibilities. The term should not be used as an automatic synonym for “tourist”: a tourist is generally someone visiting a place for pleasure, whereas a vacationist is primarily someone spending time away from home or work on a vacation.
nounA person who takes a vacation, especially one who is temporarily away from work, study, or everyday responsibilities for leisure or travel.
- A person who takes a vacation or holiday, especially one temporarily away from regular work or study.
"The lakeside town welcomes vacationists throughout the summer."
"Each summer, our neighborhood fills with vacationists from nearby cities."
"She became a habitual vacationist, regularly taking a week away from her demanding job."
The standard plural is formed by adding “-s” to the noun.
"Local businesses prepare for the vacationists who arrive each summer."
A vacationist is on a break, not necessarily on a journey: the destination is optional, the holiday is the point.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of vacationist
The English noun “vacation” descends through Middle French from Latin “vacationem,” ultimately based on “vacare,” meaning “to be empty, free, or unoccupied.” The compound “vacationist” adds the English agentive suffix “-ist” to this established noun, producing a term for a person who takes a vacation. Its principal Latin relatives include “vacate,” “vacant,” and “vacancy.”
How vacationist is actually used
A relatively uncommon and somewhat formal noun, used chiefly in North American English. British speakers are more likely to use terms such as “holidaymaker.”
Easily confused with vacationist
A tourist is primarily someone who visits a place for pleasure or sightseeing, whereas a vacationist is someone spending time away from home or work on a vacation.