working-class

1 of 2

adjective

work·​ing-class ˈwər-kiŋ-ˈklas 

: of, relating to, deriving from, or suitable to the class of wage earners

working-class virtues

a working-class family

working class

2 of 2

noun

: the class of people who work for wages usually at manual labor

Examples of working-class in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

So, by the turn of the 20th century, summer camp expanded from the realm of boys in the woods to enrichment programs that included girls and working-class immigrant children, too. — Natalie Escobar, NPR, 25 June 2026

Reinventing the Batman myth for a new generation of fans, Absolute Batman reimagines the Dark Knight as a working-class hero up against impossible odds on a mission to prove that even in an era of wealth, power and corruption, one good person can change the world. — Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 25 June 2026

Noun

The mayor is banking on his popularity with working class New Yorkers and his antipathy towards Israel to put his candidates over the top. — Marcia Kramer, CBS News, 19 June 2026

The third season, Devil In Silver, is based on the book by Victor LaValle, about a working class man mistakenly committed to a psychiatric hospital where things get very, very dark. — Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 14 June 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1833, in the meaning defined above

Noun

1757, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for working-class

• fiberglass
• fibreglass
• hourglass
• isinglass
• lemongrass
• martinmas
• orchardgrass
• overpass
• plexiglas
• plexiglass
• sassafras
• superclass

Kids Definition

working class

noun

: the class of people who work for wages usually in manual labor

working-class adjective