vacation

A vacation is a time to relax. It’s a break from work or from school. Vacations often–but not always–involve traveling to another location.

• They’re in Florida on vacation.
• Jim’s not in this week. He’s on vacation.
• Susan is taking a vacation next month.
• How many vacation days do you get each year? (In this sentence, "vacation" is used as an adjective.)
• Where do you like to go for vacation?
• Where would you like to go on vacation?
• Many people travel to Minnesota in the summertime for their vacation. It’s the land of 10,000 lakes.

Recently, it’s become popular to shorten the word "vacation" to "vaca." (This is most likely a fad that won’t last.)

• She went to Acapulco for a little vaca.
• I need a vaca.
• Where are you going on your vaca?

During the recession, the word "staycation" was invented. A staycation is a vacation that you take at home because you don’t have money to go anywhere. You have to stay at home or close to home.

• We had a great staycation last summer. Every day we filled up the pool and watched the kids run through the sprinkler
• If you live in Florida, a staycation can be a very pleasant experience.

Many Americans use a camper when they go on vacation. It’s a lot cheaper than a hotel!

Note: Most Americans don’t use the word "holiday" when describing a lengthy break from work or a trip. Instead, they use the word "vacation." The word "holiday" is usually reserved for a single day. Christmas is a holiday. The Fourth of July is a holiday. A week of in Bermuda is a vacation.

Click here to learn more words.

August 2, 2013