of, relating to, or designating nonmanual and usually salaried workers employed in professional and clerical occupations: white-collar union
Compare blue-collar
WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025
ˈwhite-ˌcol•lar,
adj.
WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025- Businessof or relating to professional or clerical workers whose jobs do not usually involve manual labor:white-collar workers.
white-col•lar
(hwīt′kol′ər, wīt′-),USA pronunciation adj.
n.
- Businessbelonging or pertaining to the ranks of office and professional workers whose jobs generally do not involve manual labor or the wearing of a uniform or work clothes.
n.
- Businessa white-collar worker. Cf. blue-collar.
- 1920–25
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