The work or activity to which a person's abilities are especially well suited.
Reach for it when identifying a natural professional or creative domain after ability has been demonstrated
Explaining complex machines in plain language became the curator's metier.
| everyday | |
|---|---|
| warm | |
| professional | |
| formal |
|
| literary |
everyday
forte
Fits when one activity stands out as a personal strength
Careful A forte can be a narrow skill rather than a whole field of work.
everyday
line
Fits when informal phrasing identifies a line of work
Careful Line is vague and says nothing about special suitability.
warm
calling
Fits when deep purpose draws someone toward the work
Careful Calling emphasizes vocation and does not prove exceptional aptitude.
warm
Fits when practiced making and technique define the work
Careful Craft stresses learned skill and may not cover leadership or analysis.
professional
field
Fits when neutral language identifies an area of work or study
Careful A field can include many roles that do not suit the individual.
professional
specialty
Fits when a defined area of particular expertise is meant
Careful A specialty may be learned reluctantly and need not feel like a natural metier.
literary
province
Fits when a subject lies within someone's recognized competence
Careful Province can imply exclusive authority and sounds old-fashioned.
natural metier
Improvised comedy was her natural metier from the first rehearsal.
find a metier
Many craftspeople find a metier in restoring objects others considered beyond repair.
outside one's metier
The historian said clearly when a technical claim fell outside her metier.
Keep in mind
The word is also written with its French accent as métier; here, the unaccented English form is used.
Definitions and examples are written for this site. How words are chosen Updated
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