gig worker

noun

plural gig workers

: a person who works temporary jobs typically in the service sector as an independent contractor or freelancer : a worker in the gig economy

Gig workers have freedoms that most full-timers only dream of: setting their own hours, working from home, being their own bosses. No wonder the gig economy comprised 16 percent of all workers by 2015, according to research by economists Lawrence Katz and Alan Krueger.

—Andy Sullivan

In addition to having more stable space, the affluent often have greater latitude to remain inside it. They can work on Zoom, shop on Amazon and have gig workers deliver meals.

—Jason DeParle

Examples of gig worker in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Embrace The Variable Income Budget As a gig worker your priority is to create a budget that accounts for fluctuating income. —True Tamplin, Forbes, 27 Feb. 2025

For enrollees, the complexity of these programs can lead to confusion, particularly for those with inconsistent employment—such as gig workers or part-time employees—who may struggle to meet the hourly thresholds. —Dan Perry, Newsweek, 19 Feb. 2025

That's a very low price and accessible even for gig workers. —PCMAG, 4 Feb. 2025

Advocate for policies that recognize and respect the contributions of gig workers in the economy. —Julia Korn, Forbes, 19 Feb. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

2009, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for gig worker

• caseworker
• coworker
• farmworker
• woodworker