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.

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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 • Mar. 5, 2026

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

From Salon • Jun. 8, 2025

County officials have not commented on that assertion — or others — citing the ongoing investigation being conducted by the McChrystal Group, an independent contractor that specializes in disaster management.

From Los Angeles Times • May 21, 2025

There's nobody coming to bail out an independent contractor practice.

From BBC • Feb. 28, 2025

By the latter relationship one is an independent contractor and excluded from the acts.

From Putnam's Handy Law Book for the Layman by Bolles, Albert Sidney