white collar

white collar

A man in a white collar shirt works at his office desk.

Definition

  1. Adjective:

    • Relating to work performed in an office or professional environment: "white collar" describes jobs, workers, or activities that involve clerical, administrative, or managerial tasks, typically not involving manual labor.
    • Characteristic of the middle or upper class: It can also refer to the social or economic status associated with such work.

  2. Noun (often used in the phrase "white-collar worker"):

    • A person employed in an office or professional setting: A "white collar" is an individual who performs non-manual labor, such as an accountant, lawyer, or manager.
Usage Examples

  • Adjective:

    • She works in a white collar job at a law firm. (Her work involves professional, office-based tasks.)
    • White collar crime includes fraud and embezzlement. (Crimes committed by professionals in business settings.)

  • Noun:

    • The company hired many white collars to handle its finances. (The company employed office workers for financial tasks.)
Advanced Usage

  • "white collar worker": a specific term for an employee in a professional or administrative role.

    • White collar workers often use computers for their daily tasks. (Office employees rely on technology.)

  • "white collar union": a labor union representing office or professional employees.

    • The white collar union negotiated better benefits for its members. (The union for office workers secured improved conditions.)
Variants and Related Words

  • Blue collar (adj): relating to manual or industrial work.

    • Blue collar jobs often involve physical labor, such as construction. (Contrast with office work.)

  • Pink collar (adj): relating to jobs traditionally held by women, such as nursing or teaching.

    • Pink collar professions are often undervalued in terms of pay. (Jobs like secretarial work.)
Synonyms
  • Office worker: a person employed in an office.
  • Professional: a person engaged in a specialized occupation (e.g., doctor, lawyer).
  • Salaried employee: a worker paid a fixed salary, often in a white collar role.
Related Idioms

  • White collar crime: illegal activities committed by people in professional or business positions.

    • The executive was convicted of white collar crime for insider trading. (Financial fraud.)

  • White collar workforce: the collective group of office or professional employees.

    • The white collar workforce has grown with the rise of technology. (Office employees have increased.)