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.
Cranes are among the dozens of birds Tomlinson has illustrated in his free time — his day job is with the National Audubon Society. Hope Karnopp, jsonline.com, 21 Oct. 2025 The couple, who welcomed Aziz in 1983 and his younger brother, Aniz, seven years later, were working their day jobs when the Good Fortune actor invited them to join him on Master of None as his fictional parents. Keith Langston, PEOPLE, 19 Oct. 2025 His day job paid a $65,000 annual salary, but his real passion was making music. Jessica Coacci, Fortune, 18 Oct. 2025 A lot of these crypto owners are asset rich but may not have income streams from their day jobs or careers that match their wealth in crypto. Kim Velsey, Curbed, 17 Oct. 2025 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

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Cite this Entry

“Day job.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/day%20job. Accessed 26 Oct. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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