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

The technology has crossed dangerous thresholds in biology, cybersecurity, white-collar work, and human relationships, Gates said in an interview with Semafor. — Reed Albergotti, semafor.com, 26 Aug. 2026

CEOs have warned that AI will wipe out white-collar and entry-level jobs, but demand for the tools is already creating new opportunities. — Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 24 Aug. 2026

Many low-wage service workers toil in marginal jobs, but so do white-collar professionals such as adjunct university faculty and staff attorneys at law firms. — Bryan Robinson, Forbes.com, 23 Aug. 2026

Hogan had largely faded from the headlines since his reinstatement, continuing to prosecute mostly white-collar and financial crimes and winning his fair share of jury trials. — Jason Meisner, Chicago Tribune, 22 Aug. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1911, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for white-collar

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

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