cv

Everyday

1. (work) CV stands for curriculum vitae (Latin for "the course of life"): a short written list of your education, jobs and skills that you send when applying for a job. In the USA a similar paper is called a résumé. tree →
2. In science, cv can also be a short way of writing other terms, but for pupils CV means the job paper. tree →

In the lessons

In adult life, people update their CV and send it with a covering letter; after redundancy they may need a new CV. Older pupils write a practice CV in careers lessons, listing clubs, awards and skills. Phrases: write a CV, send your CV, update your CV, a gap on your CV.

Examples

• Mum is updating her CV to look for a new job. tree →
• Please send your CV and a short letter. tree →
• In careers class we wrote a CV with our hobbies and skills. tree →
• Volunteering looks good on a CV. tree →
• Dad's CV is two pages long. tree →
• In America they ask for a résumé instead of a CV. tree →

Note

Written in capitals: CV. Say "see-vee". Countable: a CV, two CVs. Plural of the Latin is curricula vitae, but most people just say CVs. It should be true: lying on a CV is wrong and can get you sacked.