Holiday vs Vacation
Holiday and vacation may appear to have the same meaning, but they have some differences. In some English-speaking countries, these terms are used interchangeably. Both words can be used as nouns and verbs. For example, “to holiday” means to spend a holiday in a specific place, while “to vacation” means to take a holiday. In North American usage, derivatives like “vacationer” and “vacationist” are used.
What does Holiday mean?
A holiday is a kind of break from the usual work routine for the purpose of rest or recreation. In many countries, holidays can be associated with cultural or political events as official observances, such as Christmas, Diwali, and Vesak. Shorter breaks with family members in the form of trips to resorts and other places are also called holidays. A holiday can be categorized as a religious holiday, national holiday, secular holiday, or unofficial holiday.
What does Vacation mean?
A vacation is defined as a series of consecutive holidays without workdays in between. In the United Kingdom, the word vacation typically refers to a long summer leave taken with family members. Contrary to a holiday, a vacation may involve a special trip to another place, like a resort, for rest and recreation. A vacation is a specific holiday observance, while shorter breaks with family members in the form of trips are considered holidays.
Key Takeaways
- A holiday is a break from work for rest, recreation, or cultural/political events.
- A vacation is a series of consecutive holidays without workdays in between, often involving a special trip to a resort or another place.
- The use of the words holiday and vacation depends on the linguistic practices of a particular country, and they can sometimes be used interchangeably.
