white-collar

adjective

white-col·​lar ˈ(h)wīt-ˈkä-lər 

: 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

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

Word History

First Known Use

1911, in the meaning defined above

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