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.
Since reuniting in 2014 after a decade-and-a-half of solo careers, actual careers, and day jobs, American Football can be counted among the bands who’ve tried picking up where that landmark left off. Sam Sodomsky, Pitchfork, 4 May 2026 Unlike many of her peers, Pau decided to maintain a professional day job while pursuing her artistic practice. Pauline J. Yao, Artforum, 2 May 2026 Other reports indicate how with the lack of monthly gasoline turns a 15-minute job into a three-day job. Letters To The Editor, The Orlando Sentinel, 2 May 2026 For his day job, Ochoa works as a member of SMUD’s community outreach team. Jennah Pendleton, Sacbee.com, 1 May 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

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Cite this Entry

“Day job.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/day%20job. Accessed 11 May. 2026.

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