job

n.

1. Gainful employment

   situation, post, position, appointment, office, work, occupation, employment, business, profession, trade, line, calling, field, vocation, career, craft, paying job, place, berth, pursuit, function, role, capacity, faculty, means of livelihood, métier, gig*; see also business 1, profession 1, trade 2, work 2.

2. Something to be done

   task, assignment, chore, stint, duty, responsibility, business, burden, action, act, mission, affair, concern, obligation, enterprise, undertaking, project, errand, care, matter, matter in hand, commission, function, charge, province, deed, office, tour of duty, operation, transaction, work, labor, toil, drudgery, grind, lookout*, scutwork*; see also duty 2.

3. The amount of work done

   assignment, day's work, output, input, throughput, block of work, responsibility; see also sense 2; duty 2. See syn. study at task.

job, the common, comprehensive equivalent for any of the following terms, refers to any work done by agreement for pay; position may apply to any specific employment for salary or wages, but often connotes white-collar or professional employment; situation now usually refers to a position that is open or that is desired situation wanted as instructor; office refers to a position of authority or trust, esp. in government or a corporation; post implies a position or office that carries heavy responsibilities, esp. one to which a person is appointed

odd jobs

on the job