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.
Robert, who wrote the screenplay, is a professor — a brilliant guy, but writing isn’t his day job. Clayton Davis, Variety, 17 Oct. 2025 After relocating to Long Beach in his late teens, Nowell worked various day jobs. George Varga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 16 Oct. 2025 Amy Poehler, took a break from his, well, day job, to chat with THR about both gigs — as well as the cold open that proved to be the highlight of Emmys night. Tony Maglio, HollywoodReporter, 8 Oct. 2025 Harris Dickinson’s day job is being John Lennon. Carrie Battan, Vulture, 6 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

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

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

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!