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

By 2023, independent contractors, freelancers, and other gig workers constituted a significant portion of the workforce, with some estimates placing the number at over 60 million Americans, or roughly 36% of the workforce. —Jeff Gapusan, Forbes.com, 17 Sep. 2025

But given both the film’s protagonist (gig worker Eyüp, played by the director) and title character (Eyüp’s greedy boss) are participants in the dance, this Turkish writer can’t help but see it as a biting social statement. —Tomris Laffly, Variety, 16 Sep. 2025

Mack said the practice is reminiscent of how Uber and Lyft mobilized people who use ride-hailing apps to support Proposition 22 and keep gig workers from being defined as employees instead of contractors, and tactics embraced by apartment landlords and realtor groups. —Calmatters, Mercury News, 11 Sep. 2025

Determined to make a difference and shake up the monotony of his duties in the City of Angels, Gabriel meddles in the life of Arj (Ansari), a struggling gig worker making ends meet by taking on various gig economy jobs and stocking Home Depot shelves, all while living in his car. —Jessica Wang, Entertainment Weekly, 7 Sep. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

2009, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for gig worker

• caseworker
• coworker
• farmworker
• woodworker