working-class

1 of 2

adjective

work·​ing-class ˈwər-kiŋ-ˈklas How to pronounce working-class (audio)
Synonyms of working-classnext
: 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
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.
Adjective
Wrexham’s Hollywood script Ridiculous rise, incredible achievements, two very likeable owners and a working-class town and club reborn by one of modern football’s most famous rags-to-riches tales. Tim Spiers, New York Times, 5 Mar. 2026 Jones grew up in a working-class household. Greg Poole, Rolling Stone, 5 Mar. 2026
Noun
There's already a federal affordable housing tax credit, which incentivizes the construction of housing for working class families. Dejanay Booth-Singleton, CBS News, 26 Feb. 2026 The district is deeply working class, Wild says, but to fixate on that is too narrow. Julia Terruso, Time, 23 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for working-class

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1833, in the meaning defined above

Noun

1757, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of working-class was in 1757

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Cite this Entry

“Working-class.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/working-class. Accessed 7 Mar. 2026.

Kids Definition

working class

noun
: the class of people who work for wages usually in manual labor
working-class adjective

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