white-collar

adjective

white-col·​lar ˈ(h)wīt-ˈkä-lər 

: of, relating to, or constituting the class of salaried employees whose duties do not call for the wearing of work clothes or protective clothing compare blue-collar

Examples of white-collar in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Many white-collar workers will likely face a philosophical reckoning about what AI means for their profession—one that goes beyond fears of layoffs. —Sharon Goldman, Fortune, 8 Jan. 2026

And a report from ADP found white-collar jobs were hit especially hard last month, including professional and business services and the information sector. —J.d. Capelouto, semafor.com, 7 Jan. 2026

Their prospects of access to higher education and white-collar jobs are bleak. —Saumya Roy, The Dial, 6 Jan. 2026

Two others had come to the industry after white-collar jobs in health care. —Lauren Hilgers, Harpers Magazine, 30 Dec. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1911, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for white-collar

• eurodollar
• caller
• collar
• crawler
• dollar
• faller
• haller
• hauler
• holler
• scholar
• smaller
• squalor

Kids Definition

white-collar

adjective

ˈhwīt-ˈkäl-ər, 

ˈwīt-

: of, relating to, or being a member of the class of workers (as clerks and salespersons) whose duties do not require the wearing of work clothes