white-collar

[ hwahyt-kol-er, wahyt- ]

/ ˈʰwaɪtˈkɒl ər, ˈwaɪt- /

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See synonyms for white-collar on Thesaurus.com

adjective

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

a white-collar worker.

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His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

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Compare blue-collar.

Origin of white-collar

First recorded in 1920–25

Words nearby white-collar

white clover, white coal, whitecoat, white-coat hypertension, white cockatoo, white-collar, white-collar crime, white corpuscle, white crab, white-crowned sparrow, whitecup

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use white-collar in a sentence

Robert Downey Jr. plays the son, a bigwig Chicago attorney who proudly defends wealthy white-collar criminals.
Robert Downey Jr. Just Made the Year’s Sappiest Flick|Alex Suskind|September 5, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Even in 1999, this gilded cage of a cushy but unstimulating white-collar career was only available to certain people.
Complaining Like It’s 1999: ‘Fight Club,’ ‘American Beauty,’ and the Revolt of the Cubicle Drone|Arthur Chu|June 3, 2014|DAILY BEAST
As a consequence, the white-collar gays of D.C. have turned Secret into a dumping ground for personalized gossip.
The App Bringing Out The Best/Worst in Washington’s Gays|Scott Bixby|May 31, 2014|DAILY BEAST
By the early 20th century, white-collar work was more common—and more regimented.
Squares in Cubes: A History of Two Centuries of Office Culture|Wendy Smith|May 1, 2014|DAILY BEAST

I thought it would be an incredible departure to see that white-collar prison.
How the Dark and Stylish Drama ‘Suits’ Became USA’s Best Show|Jason Lynch|March 5, 2014|DAILY BEAST
A white shirt and white collar fairly hurt the eye, being in such sharp contrast with Bill's dark skin and darker beard.
Mystery Ranch|Arthur Chapman
A great white collar flashed about his neck against the somber hue of his face and his coal-black eyes.
The Woman Gives|Owen Johnson
Sam Stay looked at the black coat and the white collar in doubt.
The Daffodil Mystery|Edgar Wallace
The stout clergyman in the immaculate white collar beamed benevolently at the questioner and shook his head with a gentle smile.
The Daffodil Mystery|Edgar Wallace
"And you've got no collar on" (Tess had been accustomed to wear a little white collar at the dairy).
Tess of the d'Urbervilles|Thomas Hardy

British Dictionary definitions for white-collar

white-collar

adjective

of, relating to, or designating nonmanual and usually salaried workers employed in professional and clerical occupationswhite-collar union Compare blue-collar, pink-collar

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Cultural definitions for white-collar

white-collar

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.

white-collar

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Origin of white-collar

Words nearby white-collar

Words related to white-collar

How to use white-collar in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for white-collar

Cultural definitions for white-collar