gig economy

American  

[gig i-kon-uh-mee] / ˈgɪg ɪˈkɒn ə mi /

noun

Slang.

1. an economic sector consisting of part-time, temporary, and freelance jobs.

   rapid growth of the online gig economy.

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Etymology

Origin of gig economy

First recorded in 2005–10; gig ¹ ( def. ) (in the sense “a job of uncertain duration”) + economy ( def. )

Example Sentences

More than a million people in the UK now have second jobs as rising costs, insecure work and industry changes push workers into a growing gig economy.

From BBC • May 25, 2026

After a string of unstable jobs, Hu, like many, joined the gig economy in 2017.

From Barron's • Jan. 9, 2026

The law was a compromise between labor groups and Silicon Valley gig economy companies.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 1, 2026

In similar fashion, democratized access to AI will power the gig economy, making it easier for companies to engage with skilled contractors as needed.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 20, 2025

This gap is a warning sign for the burgeoning gig economy, where workers trade stable employee benefits for more flexible schedules.

From MarketWatch • Dec. 8, 2025