métier

[ mey-tyey, mey-tyey ]

noun

1. a field of work; occupation, trade, or profession.
2. a field of work or other activity in which one has special ability or training; forte.

métier

/ ˈmɛtɪeɪ /

noun

1. a profession or trade, esp that to which one is well suited
2. a person's strong point or speciality

Word History and Origins

Origin of métier¹

1785–95; < French; Old French mestier < Gallo-Romance *misterium, for Latin ministerium ministry

Word History and Origins

Origin of métier¹

C18: from French, ultimately from Latin ministerium service

Example Sentences

Though construction was his métier, Bornträger had an act of destruction on his mind.

From The Daily Beast

Brooks can trade “Jewish vun-liners” with any man, but his natural métier is the skit.

From The Daily Beast

Dialect, for instance, was not his métier, so like a true devotee of the form he exploited his incompetence for laughs.

From The Daily Beast

She feels enormous affection for her customers and wonders why it took so long to find her métier.

From The Daily Beast

Ratner may never go there—his métier is, unapologetically, pop—but he knows where he stands.

From The Daily Beast

The man of the world has his own department, his own métier; but She it is who keeps up the general equilibrium.

From Project Gutenberg

To be the friend of war-heroes was her métier—you paid her highly in solid cash—You are under no obligation to her—.

From Project Gutenberg

Evidently his métier was, as I had surmised, that of a professional talker.

From Project Gutenberg

His métier is to keep the place tidy and the incinerator fires burning.

From Project Gutenberg

The moment that a thing is a métier, it is wholly absurd to talk about any disinterestedness in the pursuit of it.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• craft
• field
• forte