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Avocation vs Vocation vs Evocation – Quick Guide with Sentence Examples

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Avocation vs Vocation vs Evocation

The first two of these three nouns, avocation and vocation have related meanings. 

Avocation means “hobby” and vocation means “profession”:

My professor’s avocation is playing in a jazz band.

But his vocation is research scientist.

Also note the English term vocational school—which is a college where people learn only job skills (no philosophy classes!) in order to become certified for a specific profession, such as electrical engineering or plumbing.

Evocation, by contrast, means “the act of calling something forth”—either quite literally, or metaphorically:

The magician’s evocation of the demon failed; he read out the words of the evocation in front of his magic circle, but nothing happened.

The artist’s evocation of sunset, with so many bright and varied colors, is amazing!

In the first example, the magician is calling a demon to “come forth” (appear); this is a classic meaning for evocation. In the second example, the artist’s work makes the sunset come out for the viewer of their painting. This is also a common use of evocation. Here are some other examples, using evoke, the verb-form of evocation, and evocative, the adjective:

He wears African clothing to evoke his roots.

The author’s word choice evokes the sights and sounds of the ocean.

Your music is quite evocative; it makes me imagine a summer night under the stars.

It may help you to remember that the prefix e- means “out” and voc- is the same root as in the words voice and vocal.

How to Use "Avocation" in a Sentence

  1. My hobby is reading; my avocation is writing.
  2. Jane's avocations are writing, dance, and cycling.
  3. I'm a poet by avocation. 
  4. Gilbert has a successful career as a lawyer, though it's more of an avocation because he enjoys it so much. 
  5. Lisa's avocation is writing historical fiction.
  6. My father's avocation is carpentry.
  7. John's main avocation is playing the piano, but he also likes to golf.
  8. Carolyn enjoys her avocation as a fitness instructor, even though she doesn't like exercising herself. 
  9. Photography is my husband's avocation, and he's really good at it!

How to Use "Vocation" in a Sentence

  1. There is no one right answer for what is the best vocation for someone—circumstance and timing are important factors to consider.
  2. One thing that is important when choosing a vocation is to consider your talents and abilities.
  3. Your vocation can be something that you have always wanted to do, or it can be something that simply provides financial security.
  4. My vocation is to teach; my passion is to inspire.
  5. What does your vocation entail?
  6. I'd be happy with any vocation that had a positive impact on society.
  7. Tamala is interested in pursuing a vocation in the arts.
  8. I'm considering a vocation in the medical field, because there seems to be a growing demand for workers.
  9. The school's Vocational Technology Department helps students find a vocation suited to their skills and interests.
  10. Vocational education and training prepares people for specific trades or careers.
  11. Vocational courses are often shorter than traditional academic courses, so they can be completed more quickly and affordably, while increasing your employability and earning power. 

How to Use "Evocation" in a Sentence

  1. Was it the evocation of the smell of her grandmother's cooking that made him feel so hungry?
  2. Evocations of awe and wonder surround those who visit the Marfa, Texas museum.
  3. The man evoked a sense of dread from the crowd.
  4. In writing, evocation can be a powerful tool for drawing the reader into the story.
  5. The evocation of musty books hurled her mind to her childhood, where she spent her days and sometimes nights alone in the library.
  6. She was the first woman to win a Guggenheim fellowship for fiction for her evocation of rural life in the Midwest.
  7. Evocation of the past can be a powerful tool for understanding the present.
  8. Evocation of the past is often a tricky business, as the line between history and myth can be blurry.
  9. The evocation of a place can help us recall memories associated with that place.
  10. Some writers are able to evoke a time and place so vividly that we feel like we are living it ourselves.
  11. In short, evocation is the ability to bring something to life in such a way that it becomes real for us.
  12. Evocations of the past can sometimes be seen and felt in everyday architecture.