career
gb/kɚˈɪɹ/ us/kɚˈɪɹ/
A2
English
~ 1100
Senses
0 senses
Noun
A2
entity
1
Long-term job or profession
A job or kind of work that someone does for a long time in their life.
Usage pattern:
[someone]'s career in [field]
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.
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.)
Collocations
career path
|career change
|career development
|career opportunities
|career advancement
Themes
work
|business
|daily life
|education
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- She built a successful career in medicine.
- After college, he began a career in journalism.
- 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.
- He has a long career as a doctor.
- My father started his career in 1990.
- A good education can help your career.
- She is thinking about a new career.
Noun
C2
event
2
Fast forward movement
A quick and uncontrolled movement forward.
Common mistake:
This meaning is rare in modern English; learners may confuse it with the work-related sense.
Synonyms
rush (Implies great speed, often with urgency.)
Antonyms
halt (A complete stop in movement.)
Themes
movement
|daily_life
|transportation
Examples
- The horse broke into a wild career across the field.
- The car went out of control in its final career down the hill.
- He was thrown during the horse's sudden career.
Learner examples
- The car made a fast career down the road.
- The horse went on a wild career.
- The bike took a sudden career downhill.
Verb
B2
action
3
Move quickly without control
To go forward very fast without control.
Usage pattern:
to career [somewhere]
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.
Synonyms
hurtl (Similar speed but without necessarily implying loss of control.)
Antonyms
stop (To cease movement entirely.)
Collocations
career down
|career into
Themes
movement
|daily_life
|transportation
Examples
- The truck careered down the hill before crashing into the fence.
- He lost his balance and careered into the crowd.
- The ball careered across the floor and hit the wall.
Learner examples
- The car careered into the wall.
- The bike careered down the street.
- He careered into the table.
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.