career
gb/kɚˈɪɹ/ us/kɚˈɪɹ/
A2
English
~ 1100
karrier, pályafutás, száguldás, vágtatás, száguld, vágtat
NOUN
A2
1
karrier
B1
pályafutás
B2
Usage pattern:
[someone]'s career in [field]
She built a successful career in medicine.
Sikeres karriert épített az orvoslásban.
After college, he began a career in journalism.
Az egyetem után újságírói karrierbe kezdett.
Her career as a teacher spanned over thirty years.
He decided to change his career and become a chef.
Career opportunities in technology are growing rapidly.
Learner examples
She wants a career in music.
Zenei karriert szeretne.
He has a long career as a doctor.
Hosszú karrierje volt orvosként.
My father started his career in 1990.
A good education can help your career.
She is thinking about a new career.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'career' with 'job'. A 'job' is a specific position, while a 'career' is the whole working life or type of work someone does long-term.
Meaning
Long-term job or profession
Collocations
career path
|career change
|career development
|career opportunities
|career advancement
Synonyms
profession (More formal; often used for jobs requiring special training or qualifications.)
|
occupation (General term for any job or work someone does.)
Antonyms
hobby (An activity done for pleasure, not as one's main work.)
Themes
work
|business
|daily life
|education
|core_vocabulary
Definition
A job or kind of work that someone does for a long time in their life.
A person's chosen occupation, profession, or line of work pursued for a significant part of their life.
NOUN
C2
2
The horse broke into a wild career across the field.
A ló vad száguldásba kezdett a mezőn át.
The car went out of control in its final career down the hill.
Az autó kicsúszott az irányítás alól a dombon lefelé tartó utolsó száguldás közben.
He was thrown during the horse's sudden career.
Learner examples
The car made a fast career down the road.
Az autó gyors száguldással haladt le az úton.
The horse went on a wild career.
A ló vad száguldásba kezdett.
The bike took a sudden career downhill.
Common mistake:
This meaning is rare in modern English; learners may confuse it with the work-related sense.
Meaning
Fast forward movement
Synonyms
rush (Implies great speed, often with urgency.)
Antonyms
halt (A complete stop in movement.)
Themes
movement
|daily_life
|transportation
Definition
A quick and uncontrolled movement forward.
A swift and uncontrolled forward motion, especially of a person or vehicle.
VERB
B2
3
Usage pattern:
to career [somewhere]
The truck careered down the hill before crashing into the fence.
A teherautó leszáguldott a dombon, majd a kerítésnek csapódott.
He lost his balance and careered into the crowd.
Elvesztette az egyensúlyát, és beleszáguldott a tömegbe.
The ball careered across the floor and hit the wall.
Learner examples
The car careered into the wall.
Az autó beleszáguldott a falba.
The bike careered down the street.
A bicikli leszáguldott az utcán.
He careered into the table.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'career' with 'careen'. In British English, 'career' is more common for uncontrolled movement; in American English, 'careen' is often used instead.
Meaning
Move quickly without control
Collocations
career down
|career into
Synonyms
hurtl (Similar speed but without necessarily implying loss of control.)
Antonyms
stop (To cease movement entirely.)
Themes
movement
|daily_life
|transportation
Definition
To go forward very fast without control.
To move forward at high speed in an uncontrolled way.
Grammar
Dictionary form
career
IPA
GB/kɚˈɪɹ/
US/kɚˈɪɹ/
Syllables & stress
ca - reer (2 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (ca)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: career
- Plural: career, careers
Verb
- Base: career
- 3rd Person Singular: careers
- Present Participle: careering
- Past: careered
Word family
Forms
careers
noun
careering
verb
careered
verb
Core family
profession
noun B1
professional
adjective B1
Related words
Advanced or less common
careerist
noun
careerism
noun
Expressions
career break
1/kɚˈɪɹ bɹˈeɪk/
fixed phrase
Temporary stop from work life
A time when you stop working in your usual job for some months or years, usually to do something else.
Examples
- She took a two-year career break to travel the world.
- A career break can give you time to learn new skills.
career change
1/kɚˈɪɹ t͡ʃˈeɪnd͡ʒ/
fixed phrase
Switch to new occupation
When someone stops doing one kind of job and starts another kind of job for their working life.
Examples
- After ten years as a lawyer, he made a career change to teaching.
- Many people consider a career change in their forties.
career path
1/kɚˈɪɹ pˈæθ/
fixed phrase
Planned job progression
The way someone's jobs change and grow during their life in one area of work.
Examples
- She chose a career path in law enforcement.
- IT offers many different career paths for graduates.
late in one's career
1/lˈeɪt ˈɪn wˈʌnz kɚˈɪɹ/
fixed phrase
Advanced stage of work life
Near the end of your working life in your job or field.
Examples
- He won his first major award late in his career.
- Many athletes retire late in their careers due to injuries.