Work & Careers
Jobs, offices, professions, and the words that fill a working day.
115 words
Download MarkdownSome words in this topic are A2–C2 — part of Pro. A1 words are always free.
Go ProA1 (9)
work
A1
/wɜː(ɹ)k/
Activity that you do to make or achieve something, especially as a job.
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job
A1
/dʒɑb/
The regular paid work that a person does to earn a living.
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office
A1
/ˈɔ.fɪs/
A room or building where people work, usually at desks.
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meeting
A1
/ˈmitɪŋ/
An organized gathering of people for a particular purpose.
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project¹
A1
/ˈpɹɑˌd͡ʒɛkt/
A planned piece of work with a particular aim, done over a period of time.
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interview
A1
/ˈɪn.(t)ɚ.vju/
a formal meeting where someone is asked questions to see if they are right for a job.
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smith
A1
/smɪθ/
A worker who shapes metal with a hammer and other tools, especially a blacksmith.
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get ahead
A1
to become more successful or improve one's position
Phrasal verb
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look after
A1
to oversee something carefully and make sure it is properly handled
Prepositional verb
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A2 (12) Pro
manager
A2
/ˈmæn.ə.dʒəɹ/
A person whose job is to be in charge of a business, shop, or part of an organization.
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assistant
A2
/əˈsɪstənt/
A person whose job is to help someone, especially in their work.
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task
A2
/tæsk/
A piece of work that you have to do.
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engineer
A2
/ˌɛnd͡ʒɪˈnɪ(ə)ɹ/
A person whose job is to design, build, or maintain machines, structures, or systems.
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colleague
A2
/ˈkɑliɡ/
A person you work with, especially in a profession or business.
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labor
A2
/ˈleɪ.bɚ/
Hard work, especially physical work done for pay.
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employee
A2
/ˌɛm.plɔɪˈiː/
A person who is paid to work for a company or another person
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cleaner
A2
/ˈkli.nɚ/
A person whose job is to clean rooms, floors, or buildings.
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occupation
A2
/ˌɑkjʊˈpeɪʃən/
A person's job or regular paid work.
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employer
A2
/ɪmˈplɔɪ.ɚ/
A person or company that pays others to work for them
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washing-up
A2
/ˌwɑʃ.ɪŋˈʌp/
The job of washing the dishes, pots, and cutlery after a meal.
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knock off
A2
to stop working or end an activity, informally
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B1 (23) Pro
detective
B1
/dɪˈtɛktɪv/
A police officer whose job is to solve crimes by gathering evidence.
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mission
B1
/ˈmɪʃ.ən/
An important job or task that a person or group is given.
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career
B1
/kəˈɹɪɹ/
The job or profession you do over a long part of your working life.
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hire
B1
/haɪɹ/
To give someone a job and pay them to work for you.
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teaching
B1
/ˈtiːt͡ʃɪŋ/
The job or activity of giving lessons to students.
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assignment
B1
/əˈsaɪn.mənt/
A task or piece of work that you are given to do.
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promotion
B1
/pɹəˈmoʊʃn̩/
A move to a more important job or higher rank.
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bureau
B1
/ˈbjʊ.ɹoʊ/
A government department or office that deals with a particular task.
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profession
B1
/pɹəˈfeʃ.ən/
A type of job that needs special training or education, such as law or medicine.
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institute
B1
/ˈɪnstɪtjuːt/
An organization set up for a particular purpose, especially research, education, or a profession.
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salesman
B1
/ˈseɪlzmən/
A man whose job is to sell things, in a shop or by visiting customers.
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accountant
B1
/əˈkaʊn.tənt/
A person whose job is to keep, check, and report on money records for a person or business.
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teller
B1
/ˈtɛləɹ/
A bank employee who takes in and pays out money to customers.
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unemployment
B1
/ʌn.ɪmˈplɔɪ.mənt/
The state of not having a job.
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critic
B1
/ˈkrɪtɪk/
A person whose job is to give opinions about books, films, music, or art.
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workplace
B1
/ˈwɝkˌpleɪs/
The place where someone works.
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adviser
B1
/ædˈvaɪ.zɚ/
An expert who gives advice, especially as part of their job.
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firefighter
B1
/ˈfaɪ.ɚˌfaɪ.tɚ/
A person whose job is to put out fires.
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entertainer
B1
/ˌɛntɚˈteɪnɚ/
A person whose job is to amuse an audience, such as a singer, actor, or comedian.
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vacancy
B1
/ˈvæɪkənsi/
A job that is available because no one is currently doing it.
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nailer
B1
/ˈneɪlɚ/
a worker who attaches something by nailing it
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lay off
B1
to dismiss workers because their jobs are no longer required or affordable
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specialize in
B1
to focus one's work or knowledge on a particular subject or activity
Prepositional verb
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B2 (19) Pro
inspector
B2
/ɪnˈspɛk.tɚ/
A person whose job is to officially check that something is correct or meets standards.
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project²
B2
/pɹəˈd͡ʒɛkt/
To estimate or predict something based on current information.
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supervisor
B2
/ˈsupɚˌvaɪzɚ/
A person whose job is to oversee and direct the work of others.
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resume
B2
/ɹɪˈzjuːm/
To start something again after stopping or pausing.
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nursing
B2
/ˈnɝsɪŋ/
The job or skill of caring for sick or injured people as a nurse.
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overtime
B2
/ˈoʊ.vɚˌtaɪm/
Time worked beyond one's normal working hours.
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translator
B2
/ˈtɹænzleɪtɚ/
A person whose job is to change written text from one language into another.
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nomination
B2
/ˌnɑmɪˈneɪʃən/
The act of officially suggesting someone for a job, position, or award.
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presidency
B2
/ˈpɹɛzɪdənsi/
The job or position of being a president.
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electrician
B2
/ɪˌlɛkˈtɹɪʃən/
A worker who installs, repairs, and maintains electrical wiring and equipment.
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locksmith
B2
/ˈlɑksmɪθ/
a person whose job is to make, fit, open, or repair locks and keys
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craftsman
B2
/ˈkɹæftsmən/
A worker who is highly skilled at a trade, especially one done by hand.
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masseur
B2
/məˈsʊɹ/
A man whose job is to give massages.
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manhole
B2
/ˈmænhoʊl/
a covered opening in a street or other surface through which a worker can enter a sewer, drain, or underground utility space
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dressmaker
B2
/ˈdɹɛsˌmeɪkɚ/
a person whose occupation is making, altering, or repairing dresses and other fitted women's clothing
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salesperson
B2
/ˈseɪlzˌpɝːsən/
A person whose job is to sell things, often in a shop.
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saleswoman
B2
/ˈseɪlzˌwʊmən/
A woman whose job is to sell things, in a shop or by visiting customers.
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tradesperson
B2
/ˈtreɪdzˌpɝsən/
a skilled manual worker in a particular trade or craft
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day laborer
B2
/ˈdeɪ ˌleɪ.bɚ.ɚ/
a worker hired and paid by the day, especially for temporary or unskilled manual work
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C1 (11) Pro
peasant
C1
/ˈpɛzənt/
A poor farmer or farm worker, especially in the past or in poorer countries.
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tailor
C1
/ˈteɪlɚ/
A person whose job is to make, repair, or alter clothes, especially suits.
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climax
C1
/ˈklaɪ.mæks/
The most exciting or important point of an event, story, or career.
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tenure
C1
/ˈtɛn.jɚ/
The period during which someone holds a job or position.
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productivity
C1
/ˌpɹɑ.dʌkˈtɪv.ɪ.ti/
The rate at which workers produce goods or services; how efficiently work is done.
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professionalism
C1
/pɹəˈfɛʃənəˌlɪzəm/
The skill, good judgement, and high standards expected of someone doing a job well.
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induction
C1
/ɪnˈdʌkʃən/
the act of formally introducing someone into a job, group, or position
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croupier
C1
/ˈkruː.pi.ɚ/
a casino employee who manages a gaming table, handles bets, and pays winnings
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artisan
C1
/ˈɑɹtɪzən/
A skilled manual worker who uses tools and machinery in a particular craft.
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shopkeeping
C1
/ˈʃɑpˌkiːpɪŋ/
the business or occupation of owning, managing, or working in a retail shop
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grind out
C1
to produce something through repetitive and often tedious work
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C2 (19) Pro
livelihood
C2
/ˈlaɪvlihʊd/
A means of providing the necessities of life for oneself (for example, a job or income).
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stoker
C2
/ˈstoʊ.kɚ/
a worker who feeds fuel to and tends a furnace or boiler, especially on a steamship or steam train
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jargon
C2
/ˈd͡ʒɑɹ.ɡən/
Special words and phrases used by a particular profession or group that others find hard to understand.
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redundancy
C2
/ɹɪˈdʌndən(t)si/
The loss of a job because the work is no longer needed, or the act of dismissing such workers.
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paymaster
C2
/ˈpeɪˌmæstɚ/
an official or employee responsible for paying wages, especially to workers or troops
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scribbler
C2
/ˈskrɪblər/
historical textile work: a worker who coarsely cards or teases wool before spinning
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signalman
C2
/ˈsɪɡ.nəl.mən/
a railway employee who controls signals and points to regulate the safe movement of trains
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dressmaking
C2
/ˈdresˌmeɪ.kɪŋ/
the craft, work, or occupation of making women's clothing, especially custom-fitted dresses
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bookbinder
C2
/ˈbʊkˌbaɪn.dɚ/
a craftsperson or worker who binds pages into books or repairs book bindings
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brakeman
C2
/ˈbreɪkmən/
historical: a railway worker responsible for operating a train's brakes and assisting with couplings and switching
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ostler
C2
/ˈɑslɚ/
historically, a worker at an inn or stable who cared for travelers' horses
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carder
C2
/ˈkɑrdɚ/
a worker who cards wool or other fiber, disentangling and aligning it before spinning
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métier
C2
/meɪˈtjeɪ/
an occupation or field of work for which a person is particularly well suited
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heaver
C2
/ˈhiːvə(ɹ)/
a worker who lifts or carries heavy freight, especially at a dock
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wool comber
C2
/ˈwʊl ˌkoʊmɚ/
a worker who combs wool to align its long fibers and remove short fibers before spinning
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flax-dresser
C2
/ˈflæksˌdrɛsɚ/
a worker who prepares flax or hemp fiber for spinning by breaking, scutching, and hackling it
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purpresture
C2
/pɚˈprɛstʃɚ/
law: a wrongful enclosure, occupation, or appropriation of land subject to public or common rights
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baggageman
C2
/ˈbæɡɪdʒˌmæn/
historical: a railway employee responsible for receiving, guarding, sorting, and delivering passengers' baggage, often in a baggage car
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emeritus
C2
/ɪˈmɛɹɪtəs/
retired from a post but allowed to keep its title as an honour
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undertaking
C2+
/ˌʌndɚˈteɪkɪŋ/
a task or project, especially a difficult one; a formal pledge
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avocation
C2+
/ˌævəˈkeɪʃən/
a hobby or minor occupation pursued alongside one's main vocation
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journeyman
C2+
/ˈdʒɜrnimən/
a trained worker qualified in a trade; a competent but unremarkable performer
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hobo
C2+
/ˈhoʊboʊ/
a migratory worker or homeless vagrant, especially one riding trains
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vocation
C2+
/voʊˈkeɪʃən/
a strong sense of suitability for a particular career or calling
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cabdriving
C2+
/ˈkæbˌdraɪvɪŋ/
the occupation of driving a taxicab
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calling
C2+
/ˈkɔlɪŋ/
a strong inner urge toward a vocation or profession
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chancellery
C2+
/ˈtʃænsələri/
the office, staff, or residence of a chancellor
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peon
C2+
/ˈpiɑn/
a low-ranking worker or laborer, often unskilled or menial
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secondment
C2+
/sɪˈkɑndmənt/
the temporary transfer of an employee to another post or organization
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temp
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/tɛmp/
a temporary employee, especially in an office
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tenancy
C2+
/ˈtɛnənsi/
the possession or occupation of land or property by rental tenure
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workfellow
C2+
/ˈwɝk.fɛl.oʊ/
a fellow worker; a colleague
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coal-heaver
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/ˈkoʊlˌhiːvɚ/
a worker who carries or unloads coal
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woodsawyer
C2+
/ˈwʊdˌsɔɪɚ/
a worker whose occupation is sawing wood or timber
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apir
C2+
/əˈpɪr/
historical, Chilean mining: a worker who carried broken ore from an underground mine to the surface in a leather pack on the back
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ice cutter
C2+
/ˈaɪsˌkʌtɚ/
historical: a worker who cuts and harvests blocks of natural ice from a frozen lake, pond, or river
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tirewoman
C2+
/ˈtaɪɚˌwʊmən/
archaic: a lady's maid who helps her employer dress and arrange her clothes or hair
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coal-whipper
C2+
/ˈkoʊlˌwɪpɚ/
historical: a dock worker who unloaded coal from a ship's hold using a rope-and-counterweight hoisting system
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manurance
C2+
/məˈnʊrəns/
the cultivation, occupation, or working of land; archaic
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floriculturist
C2+
/ˌflɔr.ɪˈkʌl.tʃɚ.ɪst/
a specialist who cultivates flowering and ornamental plants, especially as a profession
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gownsman
C2+
/ˈɡaʊnzmən/
a member of a profession traditionally marked by a gown, especially a cleric, lawyer, or university member
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