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
Does Varley see herself as working class? Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 3 Mar. 2026 Le Corbusier’s working class housing complex, Cité Radieuse, which was part of the architect’s social housing habitat Unité d’Habitation, is often referred to as the catalyst for the style. Katherine McLaughlin, Architectural Digest, 2 Mar. 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

Browse Nearby Words

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Working-class.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/working-class. Accessed 10 Mar. 2026.

Kids Definition

working class

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

More from Merriam-Webster on working-class

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster