Definitions

white-collar

[hwahyt-kol-er, wahyt-] / ˈʰwaɪtˈkɒl ər, ˈwaɪt- /

ADJECTIVE

non-manual

Synonyms

STRONGEST

clerical salaried

WEAK

executive office professional

NOUN

office worker

Synonyms

STRONG

administrator clerk employee executive jobholder manager supervisor worker

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

White-collar workers worried about their jobs also tend to avoid big purchases like a new home.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 12, 2026

Natalie Sherborn, head of White-collar Defence and Investigations at law firm Withers, said that dating apps had been "found wanting" in their response to crimes being carried out via their platforms.

From BBC • Dec. 4, 2025

White-collar jobs in other industries are also being threatened by technological change, greater investment in AI and retrenchments after pandemic-era hiring sprees.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 15, 2025

White-collar workers often feel that they don’t need union protections.

From Slate • Feb. 9, 2023

According to the FBI and the National White-collar Crime Center, Russian former secret agents have teamed with computer hackers to break into corporate networks to steal vital information about product development and marketing strategies.

From Russian Roulette: Russia's Economy in Putin's Era by Vaknin, Samuel