cv

IPA/ˌsiː ˈviː/
KK[sˌivˈi]IPA/ˌsiː ˈviː/

cv — noun

  • cvsingular
  • cvsplural

1. a short written document that lists a person's education, work history, skills,

1.nounB1
Definition

a short written document that lists a person's education, work history, skills, and achievements, which people send to employers as part of a job application; short for curriculum vitae

Example

Before the interview, Kenji checked his CV to recall the dates of his previous jobs.

collocation: check / update / send your CV

The company received over two hundred CVs for just one entry-level marketing position.

plural form: CVs

Common collocations
  • update your CV
  • send your CV
  • CV + cover letter
  • attach your CV
  • CV template
Synonyms
  • résumé

    shorter and more common in American English; a CV is usually more detailed

  • bio-data

    mainly used in South Asian and Southeast Asian English; more formal

Grammar Patterns

a CV

my CV

CV + verb (contains / includes / lists)

Usage Note

In British English, CV is the standard term for a job application document; in American English, résumé is more common, though CV is used in academic contexts. Often used with verbs like send, submit, update, and prepare.

Common Mistakes

I need to write my CVs.' (when meaning one document)
I need to write my CV.
CV is countable, but when talking about one person's document, use singular.
My CV include three jobs.
My CV includes three jobs.
CV is singular, so the verb takes -s.

2. a detailed written record of a university teacher's or researcher's career, typi

2.nounB2
Definition

a detailed written record of a university teacher's or researcher's career, typically listing publications, courses taught, research projects, conference presentations, and professional service; short for curriculum vitae

Example

Professor Aarav's academic CV contains more than fifty published research papers and three books.

typical content: publications, research, teaching

Dr. Élise updated her academic CV to include every course she had recently taught.

collocation: update your CV

Common collocations
  • academic CV
  • submit a full CV
  • list publications on your CV
  • grants and awards on your CV
Synonyms
  • résumé

    shorter; rarely used for academic positions requiring a full publication list

  • teaching portfolio

    focuses specifically on teaching experience and philosophy, not the full career record

Grammar Patterns

an academic CV

a full CV

Usage Note

An academic CV is typically longer and more comprehensive than a standard job-application CV. It has no page limit and grows throughout a scholar's career. Distinguish from noun sense 1 (JOB APPLICATION), which is shorter and tailored for non-academic roles.

Common Mistakes

I sent my academic CV to the hotel for a waiter job.
I sent my standard CV to the hotel for a waiter job.
For most non-academic jobs, a short CV (or résumé) is more appropriate than a full academic one.

cv — abbreviation

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

CV, résumé, and bio-data all refer to documents that summarise a person's work history, but they differ in length, regional use, and context. A CV (curriculum vitae) is the standard term in British English and is common in academic, research, and medical fields worldwide. It provides a detailed, often multi-page summary of education, employment, publications, and professional achievements. A résumé, by contrast, is the preferred term in American English for most non-academic jobs. It is shorter — typically one to two pages — and focuses on skills and relevant work experience rather than a full career history. Bio-data (short for biographical data) is used mainly in South Asian and Southeast Asian English, especially for government or formal job applications, and includes personal details such as age, marital status, and nationality that would not appear on a CV or résumé. For example, a British applicant sends a CV for a marketing role, an American applicant sends a résumé for the same job, and an Indian government position might require bio-data.

CV ↗résumébio-data

Common collocations

Nouns

  • CV template
  • CV format
  • CV section

Phrases

  • CV and cover letter
  • update your CV
  • send your CV

Prepositions

  • on your CV
  • in your CV

Etymology

LatinEnglish

CV is an abbreviation of the Latin phrase curriculum vitae, meaning 'course of life'. The phrase was first used in English in the early 20th century to describe a written summary of a person's career and education. The abbreviation CV has since developed additional standalone meanings in medicine (cardiovascular, coronavirus), automotive (convertible), and botany (cultivar), each arising independently in its respective field.