calling
/'kɔ:liɳ/
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
Noun: 1. A strong inner impulse toward a particular way of life or career; a vocation: A profound sense of personal suitability for a specific role or profession, often with a sense of duty or destiny. 2. One's profession, trade, or occupation: The work or career a person is engaged in, especially when viewed as a long-term or defining pursuit.
Usage
The word "calling" is used to describe a career or life's work that one feels profoundly drawn to, often implying a sense of purpose beyond mere employment. It is typically used in formal or serious contexts. - It is often preceded by possessive adjectives (e.g., my, his, her) or articles (e.g., a, the). - It can be followed by prepositional phrases like "as a..." or "to be a...".
Examples
- She felt a calling to become a doctor and help people in underserved communities.
- He left his job in finance to pursue his true calling as a teacher.
- For many artists, painting is not just a job; it is a calling.
- Nursing is more than a profession for her; it is a calling.
Advanced Usage
- "To have a calling": To feel a strong inner conviction to do a particular type of work.
- He always knew he had a calling for the ministry.
- "To answer a/the calling": To decide to follow or pursue one's vocation.
- After years of searching, she finally answered her calling to work with animals.
Variants and Related Words
- Call (verb): The root verb meaning to summon or name. In a related sense, it can mean to name or designate someone for a role.
- He was called to the bar. (He became a lawyer.)
- Calling card (noun, compound word): A small card bearing a person's name and professional details, left when visiting.
- In the 19th century, people left their calling cards when paying social visits.
Synonyms
- Vocation: A strong feeling of suitability for a particular career or occupation.
- Profession: A paid occupation, especially one that involves prolonged training and a formal qualification.
- Occupation: A job or profession.
- Life's work: The main productive activity of a person's lifetime.
Related Phrases
- A sense of calling: The feeling or conviction that one is meant for a specific role.
- She had a strong sense of calling to public service.
- Divine calling: A vocation believed to be inspired by a god or a higher power.
- He described his decision to join the monastery as a divine calling.
Idioms
- "The call of the wild": While not using "calling" directly, this related idiom refers to a powerful, innate attraction to a natural, primitive, or adventurous way of life.
- After years in the city, he felt the call of the wild and moved to Alaska.
Noun
- the particular occupation for which you are trained