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.

Despite strong demand for certain trades, “Many blue-collar sectors are currently seeing higher unemployment rates than white-collar sectors,” she added.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 23, 2026

As AI sweeps into white-collar workplaces, old-timey hands-on jobs are getting a new look—and some of those professions even have shortages.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 21, 2026

The report laid out a doom-loop scenario of AI improvements wiping out white-collar employment and driving economic deterioration.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 17, 2026

"They look like a couple of club fighters from a white-collar match in a local leisure centre. It was sad for me to watch."

From BBC • Apr. 8, 2026

It was the kind of stable, well-paid job that gave Negro men—even those with white-collar credentials—a chance to pull their families solidly into the middle class.

From "Hidden Figures" by Margot Lee Shetterly