nine-to-five

[ nahyn-tuh-fahyv ]

adjective

, Informal.

1. of, relating to, or during the workday, especially the hours from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. when offices are characteristically open for business:

   the nine-to-five grind.

2. of, reflecting, or exhibiting a lack of willingness to work beyond the required amount of time or with more than minimal effort:

   With your nine-to-five mentality, you'll never get a promotion.

Other Words From

• nine-to-fiver noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of nine-to-five¹

First recorded in 1955–60

Related Words

• activity
• appointment
• assignment
• business
• career
• office
• operation
• place
• position
• post
• profession
• situation
• spot
• stint
• task
• trade
• work