CV Meaning: What Is a Curriculum Vitae?

Meaning 1：curriculum vitae (CV)

CV 🔊

/ˌsiː ˈviː/

A document that lists your education, work experience, and skills, used when applying for a job.

Person editing CV on laptop with sunlight

curriculum vitae 🔊

➕

/ˌkɜːrɪkjʊləm ˈviːtaɪ/

A document that lists a person's education, work experience, skills, and achievements, typically used when applying for a job, especially in academic or research fields.

📁 Category：Social Roles 🔖 Level：Intermediate

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Root Explanation

Abbreviation of Latin 'curriculum vitae' meaning 'course of life'.

💡 Mnemonic

Think of 'CV' as 'Career Voyage' — a map of your professional journey.

📖 Example

She spent hours polishing her CV before sending it to the company she admired. 🔊 She spent hours polishing her CV before sending it to the company she admired.

🔗 Collocations

update one's CV – to revise and add new information to one's curriculum vitae

submit a CV – to send or present a curriculum vitae for a job application

tailor a CV – to customize a curriculum vitae for a specific job or position

🔄 Synonyms

resume (n.) – A brief written account of personal, educational, and professional qualifications and experience, often used for job applications.

biodata (n.) – A detailed document containing biographical data, often used in academic or research contexts.

portfolio (n.) – A collection of work samples and accomplishments, often used in creative or professional fields.

🌱 Derivatives

CVs (n.) – Plural form of CV, referring to multiple curriculum vitae documents.

📖 Cultural Story

Originates from the Latin phrase 'curriculum vitae', used since the 19th century in academic and professional contexts to summarize one's life and career.