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

Most people think of being a police officer as a blue-collar job that pays a working-class salary, but that isn't always the case at the Austin Police Department, where some officers make double their base pay in overtime, according to a recent American-Statesman analysis. —Austin Sanders, Austin American Statesman, 4 Feb. 2026

But he was especially demoralized the other day after scouring for bargains at the sprawling Coche Market, which serves a mostly working-class clientele on the southern fringes of this chaotic capital. —Mery Mogollon, Los Angeles Times, 30 Jan. 2026

Noun

To ignore race—or gender, or sexuality—while attempting to build working class solidarity is to say that there are some concerns of working class people that do not matter. —Literary Hub, 5 Feb. 2026

Unbeknownst to him, that woman is Sophie (Yerin Ha), a working class maid who doesn't have a place in the Bridgertons' high society. —Rebecca Aizin, PEOPLE, 30 Jan. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1833, in the meaning defined above

Noun

1757, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for working-class

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

Kids Definition

working class

noun

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

working-class adjective