pink-collar

American  

[pingk-kol-er] / ˈpɪŋkˈkɒl ər /

adjective

1. of or relating to a type of employment traditionally held by women, especially relatively low-paying work.

   secretaries, phone operators, and other pink-collar workers.

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pink-collar British  

adjective

1. of, relating to, or designating low-paid occupations traditionally associated with female workers Compare blue-collar white-collar

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Etymology

Origin of pink-collar

1975–80; on the model of blue-collar and white-collar

Example Sentences

Looking back, from the top of media to blue- and pink-collar work, how much has the #MeToo movement changed?

From Slate • Oct. 18, 2022

My job is definitely pink-collar — I’m an administrative assistant.

From New York Times • Oct. 8, 2021

Q. Overly invested: I am the youngest person in my pink-collar job; the majority of my co-workers are either married or divorced with kids.

From Slate • Jan. 7, 2019

Several men cited the same reasons for seeking out pink-collar work that have drawn women to such careers: less stress and more time at home.

From New York Times • May 21, 2012

But the state workforce is concentrated in education and health care: white-collar and pink-collar work, not blue-collar.

From Newsweek • Jan. 26, 2010