career
pronunciation
How to pronounce career in British English:
UK [kəˈrɪə(r)]
How to pronounce career in American English:
US [kəˈrɪr]
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- Noun:
- the particular occupation for which you are trained
- the general progression of your working or professional life
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- Verb:
- move headlong at high speed
Word Origin
- career
- career: [16] Originally, a career was a ‘road or racetrack for vehicles’. Its ultimate source was Latin carrus ‘wheeled vehicle’ (from which we get car), which produced the Vulgar Latin derivative *carāria ‘track for wheeled vehicles’. This passed into English via Provençal carreira, Italian carriera, and French carrière. Its earliest meaning was ‘racecourse’, and hence, by extension, ‘swift course’; the main present-day sense ‘course of someone’s working life’ did not develop until the 19th century, probably owing to renewed influence of French carrière.=> car
- career (n.)
- 1530s, "a running (usually at full speed), a course" (especially of the sun, etc., across the sky), from Middle French carriere "road, racecourse" (16c.), from Old Provençal or Italian carriera, from Vulgar Latin *(via) cararia "carriage (road), track for wheeled vehicles," from Latin carrus "chariot" (see car). Sense of "course of a working life" first attested 1803.
- career (v.)
- 1590s, "to charge at a tournament," from career (n.). The meaning "move rapidly, run at full speed" (1640s) is from the image of a horse "passing a career" on the jousting field, etc. Related: Careered; careering.
Synonym
Example
- 1. Some compromise of career or adventure ?
- 2. Confidence can make or break your career .
- 3. Her career has been in the doldrums .
- 4. I hope my parents don 't try to interfere in my choice of career .
- 5. Mr barbour 's lobbying career is similarly double-edged .