occupational

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "occupational" is correct and usable in written English.
It is most often used as an adjective to describe something related to the nature of work, such as a job or profession. Example: "He decided to pursue an occupational therapy degree after seeing the positive impact it had on his family member."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"This will enable the aggregation of data across and within industries and will be invaluable to employers to assist them understand the characteristics of their workforce, including occupational segregation, the position of women and men in management and patterns of potentially insecure employment," the WGEA says on its website.

The Guardian

Any financial liabilities held, such as outstanding balances on credit cards and student loans, are then subtracted to provide a net measure of wealth Private pension wealth: this includes occupational and personal pensions as well as retained rights in private pensions and pensions in payment.

The Guardian

We also offered medication; social work support to help people deal with defaulted bills, missed rent and other such complications that so often accompany a serious mental breakdown; and an occupational therapy programme, including walking groups and art groups.

The Guardian

Older patients should be taken home to be assessed by an occupational therapist or physiotherapist – that shouldn't be done in a hospital.

The Guardian

Amnesty reports that officials at the Hamad hospital psychiatric unit in Doha say anxiety or depression caused by deception about work is the chief cause of admission, and an occupational therapist told a local newspaper that 12 to 15 domestic workers visited the unit daily.

The Guardian

Every year around 11% of school pupils have unknown ethnic origin, and the number of applicants to higher education refusing to state their parents' occupational status is large and growing.

The Guardian

My experiences in India increased my respect for how different cultures interpret the world, and taking this understanding forward will no doubt make me a better occupational therapist as I start my career in the UK.

The Guardian

In a largely toothless side agreement, Nafta's three signatories – the United States, Mexico and Canada – targeted child labor, minimum-wage violations and occupational safety problems.

The Guardian

Backache is an occupational hazard as a milliner.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Equally important is the involvement in schools of other professionals, such as occupational therapists, often in the best interests of students' mental health and safety.

The Guardian

The terms of the injunction say: "The defendants shall not, without the prior written consent of the claimant, [Birmingham University] enter or remain upon land comprising the claimant's campus and buildings at the University of Birmingham... for the purpose of any occupational protest action".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "occupational" to clearly indicate that something pertains to a person's profession or line of work, distinguishing it from other aspects of their life.

Common error

Avoid using "occupational" when "professional" is more appropriate. "Occupational" refers to the nature of the job itself, while "professional" relates to the conduct, skill, or standards expected in that role. For example, it's better to say "professional development" than "occupational development" if you're referring to enhancing skills.

Linguistic Context

The adjective "occupational" primarily functions to describe nouns by specifying a connection to or association with a job, profession, or occupation. It is commonly used to modify nouns like "hazard", "therapy", or "status", as supported by Ludwig examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

35%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The adjective "occupational" is used to describe something related to a job or profession. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and widely applicable. Examples from Ludwig illustrate its use in contexts ranging from "occupational therapy" to "occupational hazards". While synonyms such as "work-related" or "professional" exist, "occupational" specifically highlights the connection to one's work. Its frequency is very common, appearing across news media, business, and scientific texts with a neutral register, making it a versatile and valuable term in professional communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

work-related

Focuses on the connection to employment rather than the nature of a profession itself. Shifts to a more general association with work.

professional

Emphasizes skills and standards associated with a specific job or career. Highlights expertise and competence in the role.

vocational

Relates to a specific skill or trade, often involving manual or practical abilities. Centers on skills training and direct job readiness.

employment-related

Similar to work-related but puts greater emphasis on the state of being employed. Focuses on rights and responsibilities associated with holding a job.

career-based

Highlights the long-term aspects and development associated with a profession. Focuses on growth, advancement, and life planning.

job-specific

Describes something unique to a particular role, distinguishing it from broader categories. Highlights the unique duties, conditions, or skills involved.

workplace

Highlights the physical or virtual place where people are employed. Focuses on elements that can impact workers during their employment.

employment

Refers to the state of having paid work. Places greater emphasis on the general condition rather than specific job duties.

job-related

Similar to "work-related", offering a general tie to employment. Covers all matters that arise because of one's specific employment status.

professional activity

Describes an action undertaken as part of one's profession. Stresses the active involvement of an individual in performing their job.

FAQs

How can I use "occupational" in a sentence?

Use "occupational" as an adjective to describe something related to a job or profession, such as "occupational hazards" or "occupational therapy".

What's a synonym for "occupational"?

Depending on the context, you could use synonyms such as "work-related", "professional", or "vocational".

What are some common "occupational" fields?

Examples of "occupational" fields include "occupational therapy", "occupational health", and "occupational safety".

Is "occupational" the same as "vocational"?

"Occupational" is a broader term relating to any job or profession, while "vocational" is more specifically related to skills-based training and trades.