as in hobby
an activity outside of one's regular occupation that is engaged in primarily for pleasure
photography is merely an avocation for me—I've never tried to make money off of it
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of avocation
And the Romans had other, less-objectionable avocations.
—
Cody Cottier, Discover Magazine, 5 Mar. 2024
Today, cooking has become a major generational avocation and source of pride.
—Alexandra Moe, The Atlantic, 6 Dec. 2023
Carter’s new avocation as an end-of-life doula is an outgrowth of the more than 15 years the Detroit native has spent doing hospice work in her free time.
—George Varga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 14 Sep. 2023
Some grandparents completely suppress their other identities in favor of their role as a grandparent, and while this can be great for the grandkids and their folks – this new avocation will swamp other relationships.
—Amy Dickinson, Anchorage Daily News, 31 Aug. 2023
See All Example Sentences for avocation
Cody Cottier, Discover Magazine, 5 Mar. 2024
Today, cooking has become a major generational avocation and source of pride.
—Alexandra Moe, The Atlantic, 6 Dec. 2023
Carter’s new avocation as an end-of-life doula is an outgrowth of the more than 15 years the Detroit native has spent doing hospice work in her free time.
—George Varga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 14 Sep. 2023
Some grandparents completely suppress their other identities in favor of their role as a grandparent, and while this can be great for the grandkids and their folks – this new avocation will swamp other relationships.
—Amy Dickinson, Anchorage Daily News, 31 Aug. 2023
See All Example Sentences for avocation
Recent Examples of Synonyms for avocation
Noun
-
Set aside time for your hobbies and passions, as Venus enters Cancer on July 30.—
Liz Simmons,
StyleCaster,
24 June 2025
-
Just as his dubious surname evokes doubts about his real identity, Joe’s outward-facing persona doesn’t exactly line up with his dangerous hobby.—
Ben Travers,
IndieWire,
24 June 2025
Noun
-
In the pursuit of creating no trash, the serial entrepreneur ditched take-out coffee, plastic utensils, food packaging, bottled body wash, and even throw-away diapers.—
Sara Braun,
Fortune,
21 June 2025
-
But the relentless pursuit of perfection would eventually derail her health and fertility.—
Lucy Notarantonio,
MSNBC Newsweek,
21 June 2025
Noun
-
Add in the realities that beginning about 20 years ago young kids started playing sports year round only increases the mileage, and the risk of something catastrophic.—
Mac Engel,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
24 June 2025
-
This was before the 2022 Beijing Winter Games, when hockey was a niche sport in China and the NHL a mere pipe dream.—
John Wawrow,
Chicago Tribune,
24 June 2025
Noun
-
When Brand was growing up, the developmental path in basketball went like this: knock on the door of your neighborhood recreation center and learn the game under mentorship of a trusted coach and teacher.—
Sam Cohn,
Baltimore Sun,
27 June 2025
-
That’s gotta be some sort of latex recreation or Madame Tussauds wax figure, right?—
Jennifer Zhan,
Vulture,
27 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Avocation.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/avocation. Accessed 30 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share