side hustle

noun

variants or less commonly side-hustle

ˈsīd-ˌhə-səl 

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

Behind the adorable outfits is a booming resale ecosystem, driven by Instagram, streetwear-savvy parents and global rag houses, turning a nostalgic hobby into side hustles — and family bonding time. —Marah Eakin, Los Angeles Times, 3 June 2026

Carl considers a future partnership with Duncan, while JoAnne's insider trading side hustle finally gets the FBI's attention. —Matt Cabral, Entertainment Weekly, 1 June 2026

However, financial pressures now push many to consider turning interests into side hustles or brands. —Cheryl Robinson, Forbes.com, 30 May 2026

The Omnisend report found of those with side hustles, about 46% sell or resell products online, 31% do freelance work and 21% do social media content creation or run a blog. —Rachel Barber, USA Today, 29 May 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1946, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for side hustle

• mofussil
• bustle
• muscle
• mussel
• russel
• rustle
• trussell
• tussle