white-collar

adjective

white-col·​lar ˈ(h)wīt-ˈkä-lər How to pronounce white-collar (audio)
: 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
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.
Unlike tech or manufacturing, healthcare has relatively lower exposure to white-collar AI displacement and potential Middle Eastern supply chain shocks stemming from a prolonged war in Iran. Elsa Ohlen, CNBC, 17 Mar. 2026 Researchers have highlighted how many white-collar industries have been hit with an epidemic of ‘workslop’, with unauthorized AI use abounding in industries like IT and professional services in particular. Will McCurdy, PC Magazine, 15 Mar. 2026 The technology industry is pouring hundreds of billions of dollars into building data centers and importing semiconductors from Taiwan and memory chips from South Korea, but doesn’t seem to require many more white-collar workers. Conor Sen, Twin Cities, 15 Mar. 2026 The most promising should be the white-collar grouping of professional and business services employment, which has been showing signs of improvement after three years of job shedding. Conor Sen, Boston Herald, 14 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for white-collar

Word History

First Known Use

1911, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of white-collar was in 1911

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Cite this Entry

“White-collar.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/white-collar. Accessed 19 Mar. 2026.

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

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