nine-to-five

[ nahyn-tuh-fahyv ]

adjective

, Informal.

1. of, relating to, or during the workday, especially the hours from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. when offices are characteristically open for business:

   the nine-to-five grind.

2. of, reflecting, or exhibiting a lack of willingness to work beyond the required amount of time or with more than minimal effort:

   With your nine-to-five mentality, you'll never get a promotion.

Other Words From

• nine-to-fiver noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of nine-to-five¹

First recorded in 1955–60

Example Sentences

They have since gone their separate ways, with one in his first year at uni and the other working nine-to-five.

From BBC

"I still don't think of it as a nine-to-five job. Because it isn't really. As a consultant, I've never thought, 'can't be bothered with work today'," she says.

From BBC

Studies have consistently shown that nonstandard work schedules -- working outside the traditional nine-to-five workday -- can negatively impact physical and mental health as well as social and family life.

From Science Daily

Just over 2.5 million followers later, he quit his nine-to-five and recently booked his first nationwide tour.

From Seattle Times

Cousin Tye was one of the only dudes in my family that kept a nine-to-five and never wanted anything to do with street stuff.

From Salon

Related Words

• activity
• appointment
• assignment
• business
• career
• office
• operation
• place
• position
• post
• profession
• situation
• spot
• stint
• task
• trade
• work