calling
/ˈkɔːlɪŋ/
Proposed by a contributor, not yet supported by evidence.
Also seen as: callings
Sense 1
Meaning · English
A strong urge (to do some particular thing with or in one's life, for example to become religious, to help the poor, or to be an entertainer).
Noun
Sources & notes
Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).
Sense 2
Meaning · English
A job or occupation.
Noun
Examples
Private-equity nabobs bristle at being dubbed mere financiers. Piling debt onto companies’ balance-sheets is only a small part of what leveraged buy-outs are about, they insist. Improving the workings of the businesses they take over is just as core to their calling, if not more so. Much of their pl
Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)
Sources & notes
Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).
Common questions
What does “calling” mean?
A strong urge (to do some particular thing with or in one's life, for example to become religious, to help the poor, or to be an entertainer).
Is “calling” formal or informal?
No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.