white-collar

adjective

white-col·​lar ˈ(h)wīt-ˈkä-lər How to pronounce white-collar (audio)
: of, relating to, or constituting the class of salaried employees whose duties do not call for the wearing of work clothes or protective clothing compare blue-collar

Examples of white-collar in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Among 68 million white-collar workers, just 1.3% were promoted in the first three months of 2024, according to Bloomberg reporting citing ADP data. Jennifer Liu, CNBC, 11 Dec. 2024 That’s because almost all of the tourists who flock to this internationally renowned resort are white-collar professionals. Jack Dolan, Los Angeles Times, 10 Dec. 2024 Zoom in: General Motors and Ford both curtailed remote work this year with new policies mandating office days for certain white-collar workers. Joe Guillen, Axios, 9 Dec. 2024 Consider more traditional white-collar jobs, highlighted by Indeed, for high-paying non-degree opportunities: Product Manager (average salary $105K), Senior Engagement Manager (average salary of $97K) or Senior Real Estate Manager ($133K per year, on average). Chris Westfall, Forbes, 7 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for white-collar 

Word History

First Known Use

1911, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of white-collar was in 1911

Dictionary Entries Near white-collar

Cite this Entry

“White-collar.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/white-collar. Accessed 23 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

white-collar

adjective
ˈhwīt-ˈkäl-ər,
ˈwīt-
: of, relating to, or being a member of the class of workers (as clerks and salespersons) whose duties do not require the wearing of work clothes

More from Merriam-Webster on white-collar

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!