blue-collar

[ bloo-kol-er ]

adjective

1. of or relating to wage-earning workers who wear work clothes or other specialized clothing on the job, as mechanics, longshoremen, and miners. Compare white-collar.

noun

1. a blue-collar worker.

blue-collar

adjective

1. of, relating to, or designating manual industrial workers Compare white-collar pink-collar

   a blue-collar union

blue-collar

1. A descriptive term widely used for manual laborers, as opposed to white-collar for office workers.

Notes

The term is often associated with conservative values.

Word History and Origins

Origin of blue-collar¹

First recorded in 1945–50

Example Sentences

Bozeman, who spent four seasons in Baltimore and is the starting center, says the similarities are apparent down to the smallest details, such as practicing during the off week or wearing custom blue-collar work shirts.

From Los Angeles Times

College-educated professionals, younger people, blacks, Latinos and other ethnic minorities, and blue-collar workers were part of a “coalition of the ascendant”.

From BBC

“I think he’ll go from being a sore loser to a sore winner,” said Terhune, who lives outside Indianapolis in a blue-collar neighborhood.

From Los Angeles Times

As a socialist, Sartini believes in cooperative effort, and he’s tried to mold his blue-collar team to reflect that.

From Los Angeles Times

Ultimately what cost Democrats among blue-collar voters across demographic groups was the perception that they were to blame for high prices and pinched budgets.

From BBC

Related Words

• proletarian