métier
noun
Did you know?
The words métier, employment, occupation, and calling all perform similar functions in English, though each word gets the job done in its own way. These hardworking synonyms can all refer to a specific sustained activity, especially an activity engaged in to earn a living, but these words also have slightly different shades of meaning. Employment implies simply that one was hired and is being paid by an employer, whereas occupation usually suggests special training, and calling generally applies to an occupation viewed as a vocation or profession. Métier, a French borrowing acquired by English speakers in the 18th century, typically implies a calling for which one feels especially fitted.
Synonyms
- forte
- long suit
- speciality
- specialty
- strong suit
- thing
Example Sentences
Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 18 Aug. 2022 The short story is a cruel little metier and a poor choice for anyone hoping to conceal his or her faults as a writer. Deborah Treisman, The New Yorker, 11 Oct. 2021 The pandemic intensifies the domesticity that is Wolitzer’s metier. BostonGlobe.com, 2 Sep. 2021 Her timing seemed strange to some, just as her metier was fading. The Economist, 20 June 2020 That the business of fashion was of great interest to Daves didn’t preclude her enjoyment of the metier. Laird Borrelli-persson, Vogue, 16 Dec. 2019 And ambiguous and withholdy endings are the metier of this show’s makers. Wired, 2 Dec. 2019 Margiela is a man who appreciates the beauty existing objects, and was never afraid to reveal the process and craft of his metier. Laird Borrelli-persson, Vogue, 1 Apr. 2019 But with the Premier League season coming to a close on Sunday, Faria - who has followed Mourinho throughout his storied metier - has decided that a career change would be best for him. SI.com, 12 May 2018 See More Word History
borrowed from French, going back to Old French mistier, mestier "divine service, function, duty, craft, profession" — more at mystery entry 2
1792, in the meaning defined at sense 1
métier
noun
Synonyms & Similar Words
- specialty
- thing
- speciality
- forte
- domain
- vocation
- business
- department
- province
- area
- discipline
- realm
- talent
- sphere
- element
- bailiwick
- gift
- arena
- pursuit
- field
- strong suit
- long suit
- aptitude
- knack
- precinct
- terrain
- racket
- flair
- genius
- aptness
- circle
- tendency
- inclination
- predilection
- fief
- faculty
- demesne
- bent
- penchant
- fiefdom
- line
- predisposition
- propensity
- proclivity
- partiality
- leaning
Synonym Chooser
Some common synonyms of métier are business, calling, employment, occupation, pursuit, and work. While all these words mean "a specific sustained activity engaged in especially in earning one's living," métier implies a calling or pursuit for which one believes oneself to be especially fitted.
The synonyms business and métier are sometimes interchangeable, but business suggests activity in commerce or the management of money and affairs.
The meanings of calling and métier largely overlap; however, calling applies to an occupation viewed as a vocation or profession.
While in some cases nearly identical to métier, employment implies work for which one has been engaged and is being paid by an employer.
While the synonyms occupation and métier are close in meaning, occupation implies work in which one engages regularly especially as a result of training.
The words pursuit and métier are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, pursuit suggests a trade, profession, or avocation followed with zeal or steady interest.
In some situations, the words work and métier are roughly equivalent. However, work may apply to any purposeful activity whether remunerative or not.