gig economy

noun

: economic activity that involves the use of temporary or freelance workers to perform jobs typically in the service sector

One reason the gig economy has taken off: People tend to change jobs more frequently and many enjoy the flexibility of choosing when and where they work.

—Marcia Pledger

While they are still able to work, boomers will be a big part of a subset of the sharing economy that is sometimes called the "gig economy." Gigs are what they sound like: assignments, contracts or part-time jobs.

—Linda Nazareth

Examples of gig economy in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Ethics And Opportunities In The Neural Era For all its promise, this cognitive gig economy raises profound ethical and societal questions. —Alex Lazovsky, Forbes.com, 20 June 2025

And the gig economy is even showing signs of strain, with food delivery orders slowing. —Ben Kesslen, Quartz, 8 June 2025

The gig economy offers flexible opportunities that can provide immediate income following a layoff. —Caroline Castrillon, Forbes, 26 Feb. 2025

The stakes are especially high in the gig economy, where payouts can make or break someone’s rent. —Alexander Puutio, Forbes.com, 28 May 2025

Word History

Etymology

gig entry 1

First Known Use

2009, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for gig economy

• deuteronomy
• aeronomy
• agronomy
• astronomy
• autonomy
• gastronomy
• metonymy
• taxonomy