gig economy

noun

: economic activity that involves the use of temporary or freelance workers to perform jobs typically in the service sector

One reason the gig economy has taken off: People tend to change jobs more frequently and many enjoy the flexibility of choosing when and where they work.

—Marcia Pledger

While they are still able to work, boomers will be a big part of a subset of the sharing economy that is sometimes called the "gig economy." Gigs are what they sound like: assignments, contracts or part-time jobs.

—Linda Nazareth

Examples of gig economy in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

These workers increasingly realize that jobs aren’t necessarily tied to one location, schedule, or employer, thanks to options in the gig economy. —Nirit Cohen, Forbes, 30 Oct. 2024

The gender pay gap is also alive in the gig economy: Only a slightly higher percentage of men (38%) have side hustles compared with women (33%), but men make an average of $1,034 a month, while women average $735 a month. —Betty Lin-Fisher, USA TODAY, 27 July 2024

Economic disruptions, mass layoffs, and the rise of the gig economy have made many people reconsider the security of conventional employment. —Melissa Houston, Forbes, 21 Oct. 2024

Related Articles America reaches a sad milestone with $35 trillion national debt Californians can still be their own boss in the ‘gig economy,’ also known as the free market Lawsuits can be costly. —Roger Ruvolo, Orange County Register, 5 Aug. 2024

Word History

Etymology

gig entry 1

First Known Use

2009, in the meaning defined above