white-collar

[hwahyt-kol-er, wahyt-]

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

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

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.

Word History and Origins

Origin of white-collar¹

First recorded in 1920–25

Example Sentences

The counting house trained the next generation of merchants, creating a distinct white-collar class.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

The former white-collar fighter - with no amateur pedigree - has stopped 19 opponents in 20 wins, with the sole blemish a thrilling draw with Clarke in March 2024.

Read more on BBC

Clune Construction, a Chicago-based general contractor, said it is trying to ensure workers have access to the same creature comforts as white-collar workers, including heated and air-conditioned break tents and perks like periodic free lunches.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

So do industrial states such as Ohio, Michigan and Tennessee, where many white-collar administrative and coordination roles in factories and supply chains are also at risk.

Read more on MarketWatch

Some workers are migrating to skilled trades, white-collar employees are under pressure to level up their AI skills and parents are trying to figure out how to guide their college-age kids.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• clerical 
• salaried