blue-collar

adjective

blue-col·​lar ˈblü-ˈkä-lər How to pronounce blue-collar (audio)
1
: of, relating to, or constituting the class of wage earners whose duties call for the wearing of work clothes or protective clothing compare white-collar
2
: having characteristics associated with blue-collar workers: such as
a
: having, showing, or appealing to unpretentious or unsophisticated tastes
… a new blue-collar serial … woven around a minor-league baseball team …Steven Flax
b
: dependable and hard-working rather than showy or spectacular
a blue-collar athlete

Examples of blue-collar 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.
The show featured themes of patriotism and faith with a rugged blue-collar vibe. Torrey Snow, Baltimore Sun, 11 Feb. 2026 Growing up in a blue-collar area, Cashman didn’t have as many financial resources as some other athletes do. Sydney Lake, Fortune, 10 Feb. 2026 Most people think of being a police officer as a blue-collar job that pays a working-class salary, but that isn't always the case at the Austin Police Department, where some officers make double their base pay in overtime, according to a recent American-Statesman analysis. Austin Sanders, Austin American Statesman, 4 Feb. 2026 The Penguins looked like a team that was rather pleased with itself most of the game, attempting to execute near-impossible passes instead of simply going to work against an Ottawa team very much invested in a blue-collar game. Josh Yohe, New York Times, 3 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for blue-collar

Word History

First Known Use

1929, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of blue-collar was in 1929

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Blue-collar.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/blue-collar. Accessed 18 Feb. 2026.

Kids Definition

blue-collar

adjective
ˈblü-ˈkäl-ər
: of or relating to the class of workers whose duties require work clothes
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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