side hustle

noun

variants or less commonly side-hustle
plural side hustles also side-hustles
: work performed for income supplementary to one's primary job
These days, lots of people have a side hustle to help them earn extra income, develop new skills, become a business owner and quit their day job.Kitsap Sun
The best part of using a blog as a side hustle is the work you put in now will continue to pay off well into the future.Emory Wheel (Emory University)
Want to learn a new skill you've had your eyes on for quite some time? Or perhaps you want to take up a new hobby that you can eventually turn into a side hustle?Jan Cortes
We all know that millennials love a good side hustle—to fuel both their passions and their wallets.Alissa Carpenter

Examples of side hustle 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.
In fact, 80% start side hustles to improve their finances. Sho Dewan, Forbes.com, 17 June 2025 There will also be a greater focus on budgeting, organizing your resources or perhaps even launching a side hustle. Valerie Mesa, People.com, 17 June 2025 Although less popular than in past years, side hustles remain a common way for people to increase their financial stability and pursue multiple passions — especially for Gen Z and millennials, Bankrate reports. Talia Wexler, CNBC, 16 June 2025 San Diego is one of the country’s least-affordable cities, further encouraging side hustles. Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 11 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for side hustle

Word History

First Known Use

1950, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of side hustle was in 1950

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Cite this Entry

“Side hustle.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/side%20hustle. Accessed 1 Jul. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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