gig worker

noun

plural gig workers

: a person who works temporary jobs typically in the service sector as an independent contractor or freelancer : a worker in the gig economy

Gig workers have freedoms that most full-timers only dream of: setting their own hours, working from home, being their own bosses. No wonder the gig economy comprised 16 percent of all workers by 2015, according to research by economists Lawrence Katz and Alan Krueger.

—Andy Sullivan

In addition to having more stable space, the affluent often have greater latitude to remain inside it. They can work on Zoom, shop on Amazon and have gig workers deliver meals.

—Jason DeParle

Examples of gig worker in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Democrats are also running legislation aimed at preventing companies from using mass data collection to customize prices for online shoppers and individualize wages for gig workers like Uber drivers. —Seth Klamann, Denver Post, 2 Mar. 2026

The Spark Program, launched in 2018, allows gig workers to sign up to make deliveries for Walmart. —Mary Cunningham, CBS News, 26 Feb. 2026

Small business owners, gig workers, freelancers and early retirees are examples of those who turn to the ACA marketplace for insurance. —Greg Iacurci, CNBC, 24 Feb. 2026

That could impact financial products such as loans, life insurance, short-term health insurance used by gig workers and those between jobs, and long-term health insurance that pays for nursing home stays. —Mohana Ravindranath, STAT, 30 Jan. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

2009, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for gig worker

• caseworker
• coworker
• farmworker
• woodworker