occupation
gb/ˌɑkjəpˈeɪʃən/ us/ˌɑkjəpˈeɪʃən/
A2
English
~ 2600
Senses
0 senses
Noun
A2
entity
1
A person's main job or profession
The work someone does to earn money.
Usage pattern:
[someone]'s occupation
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'occupation' with 'hobby'. 'Occupation' refers to paid work, not activities done for fun.
Synonyms
profession (Often refers to jobs requiring specialized education or training.)
|
job (More general and informal term for any work someone does.)
Antonyms
unemployment (The state of not having paid work.)
Collocations
choose an occupation
|full-time occupation
|skilled occupation
|change occupation
|state your occupation
Themes
business
|daily life
|employment
|work
Examples
- Teaching is a very rewarding occupation.
- His occupation as a software developer keeps him busy.
- Please state your name, age, and occupation on the form.
- She is considering changing her occupation to nursing.
Learner examples
- My occupation is teacher.
- He has a new occupation in the city.
- Her occupation is nurse.
- What is your occupation?
Noun
B1
state
2
Control of a place by force or settlement
When people or an army take control of a place and use it.
Usage pattern:
occupation of [a place]
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse this with 'visit'. 'Occupation' implies control, not just presence.
Synonyms
control (General term for having power over a place.)
|
takeover (Informal term for gaining control, often in business but also in territory.)
Antonyms
liberation (The act of freeing a place from control by others.)
Collocations
military occupation
|foreign occupation
|occupation forces
|end of occupation
Themes
politics
|military
|law
Examples
- The city suffered greatly during the enemy's occupation.
- The occupation of the building lasted for two weeks.
- They protested against the military occupation of their land.
Learner examples
- The army ended its occupation of the town.
- There was a long occupation by foreign soldiers.
- People fought against the occupation.
Noun
B2
entity
3
Activity that fills time or attention
Something you do that takes up your time and attention.
Common mistake:
Learners might confuse this with 'profession'. Here it can be unpaid and for pleasure.
Synonyms
pursuit (More formal; often used for hobbies or interests.)
|
activity (General term for something done for a purpose or enjoyment.)
Antonyms
idleness (The state of doing nothing.)
Collocations
leisure occupation
|main occupation
|childhood occupation
Themes
daily life
|daily_life
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- Gardening is her favorite occupation in the summer.
- His main occupation these days is reading history books.
- Looking after her grandchildren has become her full-time occupation.
Learner examples
- Reading is my main occupation now.
- He has no occupation in the winter.
- Her new occupation is painting pictures.
Grammar
Dictionary form
occupation
IPA
GB/ˌɑkjəpˈeɪʃən/
US/ˌɑkjəpˈeɪʃən/
Syllables & stress
oc - cu - pa - tion (4 syllables)
Stress on 3rd syllable (pa)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: occupation
- Plural: occupation, occupations
Word family
Forms
occupations
noun
Core family
Related words
occupant
noun B1
occupier
noun
Negative and opposite forms
unoccupied
adjective B2
Advanced or less common
Expressions
military occupation
1/mˈɪlɪtˌɛɹi ˌɑkjəpˈeɪʃən/
fixed phrase
technical
Control of an area by military forces
When an army controls another country or area after fighting.
Examples
- The country was under military occupation for five years.
- Military occupation often leads to strict rules and curfews.
take up an occupation
1/tˈeɪk ˈʌp ən ˌɑkjəpˈeɪʃən/
fixed phrase
Start doing a job or profession
To start working in a job or profession.
Examples
- After university, she took up an occupation as a graphic designer.
- He decided to take up an occupation in the healthcare field.
under occupation
1/ˈʌndɚ ˌɑkjəpˈeɪʃən/
fixed phrase
Controlled by an outside force or authority
When another group or country controls your land or area.
Examples
- The town was under occupation during the war.
- People living under occupation often face many restrictions.