métier

noun

mé·​tier ˈme-ˌtyā 

me-ˈtyā

variants or less commonly metier

1

: vocation, trade

Journalism is her métier.

2

: an area of activity in which one excels : forte

Chess had become his métier.

Did you know?

The words métier, employment, occupation, and calling all perform similar functions in English, though each word gets the job done in its own way. These hardworking synonyms can all refer to a specific sustained activity, especially an activity engaged in to earn a living, but these words also have slightly different shades of meaning. Employment implies simply that one was hired and is being paid by an employer, whereas occupation usually suggests special training, and calling generally applies to an occupation viewed as a vocation or profession. Métier, a French borrowing acquired by English speakers in the 18th century, typically implies a calling for which one feels especially fitted.

Synonyms

• specialty
• thing
• speciality

Choose the Right Synonym for métier

work, employment, occupation, calling, pursuit, métier, business mean a specific sustained activity engaged in especially in earning one's living.

work may apply to any purposeful activity whether remunerative or not.

her work as a hospital volunteer

employment implies work for which one has been engaged and is being paid by an employer.

your employment with this firm is hereby terminated

occupation implies work in which one engages regularly especially as a result of training.

his occupation as a trained auto mechanic

calling applies to an occupation viewed as a vocation or profession.

the ministry seemed my true calling

pursuit suggests a trade, profession, or avocation followed with zeal or steady interest.

her family considered medicine the only proper pursuit

métier implies a calling or pursuit for which one believes oneself to be especially fitted.

acting was my one and only métier

business suggests activity in commerce or the management of money and affairs.

the business of managing a hotel

Examples of métier in a Sentence

After trying several careers, she found her true métier in computer science.

public speaking is not my métier, as others can attest

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from French, going back to Old French mistier, mestier "divine service, function, duty, craft, profession" — more at mystery entry 2

First Known Use

1792, in the meaning defined at sense 1

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