curriculum vitae

IPA/kəˌrɪkjələm ˈviːtaɪ/
IPA/kəˌrɪkjələm ˈviːtaɪ/

curriculum vitae — noun

1. a document that lists a person's education, previous jobs, skills, and other qua

1.nounB1
Definition

a document that lists a person's education, previous jobs, skills, and other qualifications, used when asking for a new position

Example

Mira updated her curriculum vitae before applying for the research job at the university.

collocation: update one's curriculum vitae

Applicants for the manager position must send a curriculum vitae and a short cover letter.

Common collocations
  • update your curriculum vitae
  • send a curriculum vitae
  • a detailed curriculum vitae
  • attach a curriculum vitae
  • a current curriculum vitae
Synonyms
  • CV

    the standard abbreviation, very common in British English and widely used internationally

  • resume

    more common in American English; typically shorter and less detailed than a full curriculum vitae

Grammar Patterns

a/the + curriculum vitae

possessive + curriculum vitae

Usage Note

Often shortened to 'CV' in British English. In American English, 'resume' is more common for general job applications, while 'curriculum vitae' (or 'CV') is used mainly for academic positions.

Common Mistakes

She sent her curriculum vita to the company.
She sent her curriculum vitae to the company.
'vitae' is the genitive singular form in Latin; 'vita' is incorrect.
I need to write my curricula vitae.' (when referring to a single document)
I need to write my curriculum vitae.
'curricula vitae' is the plural form; use 'curriculum vitae' for one person's document.

Word family

  • CV
    nounB1
  • curricula vitae
    nounC1

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

All three refer to a document summarising a person's background for job applications, but they differ in formality and regional use. 'Curriculum vitae' (often called a 'CV') is the full Latin term and sounds formal; it is common in British and academic English. 'CV' is the everyday abbreviation used across the UK, Europe, and many international settings — it feels neutral and professional. 'Resume' is the standard term in American English for most non-academic jobs; it is usually shorter (one to two pages) and focuses more on recent, relevant experience than on a complete career history. In US academic contexts, however, 'curriculum vitae' (CV) is preferred, and it may include publications and research. For example, a British applicant sends a CV for an office job, while an American professor applying to a university submits a curriculum vitae rather than a resume.

curriculum vitae ↗CV ↗resume ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

  • curriculum vitae format
  • curriculum vitae template
  • curriculum vitae section

Phrases

  • send in your curriculum vitae
  • include on a curriculum vitae

Prepositions

  • on your curriculum vitae
  • in a curriculum vitae

Etymology

LatinEnglish

From Latin, combining 'curriculum' (a running, a race, a course) and 'vitae' (of life) — literally meaning 'the course of one's life'. The phrase was borrowed directly into English in the early 1900s as a formal term for a document summarising a person's career and education.