independent contractor

American  

[in-di-pen-duhnt kon-trak-ter] / ˈɪn dɪˌpɛn dənt ˈkɒn træk tər /

noun

1. a self-employed skilled worker hired to do a piece of work under a contract that allows them to control how the work is carried out.

   Many of us work part-time or, like me, are independent contractors doing freelance work for various companies and individuals.

---

Etymology

Origin of independent contractor

First recorded in 1855–60

Example Sentences

Rather than simply identify as a consultant or independent contractor, the trendy thing is to think of yourself as the boss of You Inc.

From The Wall Street Journal

An $8.5 million decision challenges the company’s longstanding “independent contractor” model.

From Slate

"Regarding the status of drivers, recent rulings by the Court of Cassation have confirmed their independent contractor status and thus clarified the framework within which we operate," an Uber spokesperson told AFP, referring to two rulings issued in July 2025 by an appeals court, which refused to reclassify drivers as Uber employees.

From Barron's

Never mind that the initiative protected Uber’s business model, which involves sticking its “independent contractor” drivers with the cost of fuel, insurance and wear and tear on their vehicles.

From Los Angeles Times

If he’s done anything about independent contractor abuse while serving in the Senate, I don’t know about it.

From Salon