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  • Word comparison: blue-collar vs. white-collar

blue-collar vs. white-collar

blue collar vs. white collar: ’s the difference?

The term blue-collar is generally used in the context of jobs that involve manual labor—mechanics and warehouse workers are considered blue-collar workers, for example. In contrast, white-collar is generally used in the context of office work. The term blue-collar comes from the association of such workers with uniforms or special work clothing, in contrast to the business attire worn by white-collar workers.

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.

adjective

  1. belonging 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.

noun

  1. a white-collar worker.