white-collar

American  

[hwahyt-kol-er, wahyt-] / ˈʰwaɪtˈkɒl ər, ˈwaɪt- /

adjective

1. belonging or pertaining to the ranks of office and professional workers whose jobs generally do not involve manual labor or the wearing of a uniform or work clothes.

---

noun

1. a white-collar worker.

white-collar British  

adjective

1. of, relating to, or designating nonmanual and usually salaried workers employed in professional and clerical occupations Compare blue-collar pink-collar

   white-collar union

---

white-collar Cultural  

1. A descriptive term for office workers, who use a minimum of physical exertion, as opposed to blue-collar laborers. Managerial, clerical, and sales jobs are common white-collar occupations.

---

Etymology

Origin of white-collar

First recorded in 1920–25

Compare meaning

How does white-collar compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• blue-collar vs. white-collar

Example Sentences

I think of AI as doing cognitive work, so this is a revolution coming squarely at white-collar workers.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 10, 2026

In fact, the current commission president, white-collar attorney Rasha Gerges Shields, is the only remaining member of the commission that oversaw the months-long chief’s search that ended with McDonnell’s selection.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 6, 2026

In white-collar work, AI-related skills will also help a person’s chances.

From MarketWatch • Jun. 5, 2026

Unwritten rules govern all kinds of white-collar offices, but nowhere do they carry more weight than on Wall Street.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 5, 2026

Liberals and conservatives, traditionalists and reformers, white-collar officials and blue-collar miners, all remained loyal to him, not because they always agreed with him, but because the regent listened to and respected all different opinions.

From "Long Walk to Freedom" by Nelson Mandela

Related Words

• clerical
• salaried