day job

noun

: one's regular employment as contrasted with an occasional, secondary, or coveted job

Examples of day job in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
On a recent weekday night, after clocking out of their day jobs, players huddled inside The Dome at the Parkway Bank Sports Complex in suburban Rosemont and officially started their season. Tess Kenny, Chicago Tribune, 28 Feb. 2026 But the work at the day job comes also knowing there will be gold to chase soon enough as coach of USA Basketball men’s senior national team, first in the 2027 World Cup in Qatar and then those 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 28 Feb. 2026 These modern finds carry the same spirit, and a Calvin Klein keychain is a cheeky nod to CBK’s day job. Jake Henry Smith, Glamour, 27 Feb. 2026 Ones that have day jobs and then lead a program during after school hours — another common situation at the prep level. Tarek Fattal, Daily News, 26 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for day job

Word History

First Known Use

1971, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of day job was in 1971

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Day job.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/day%20job. Accessed 2 Mar. 2026.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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