working-class

1 of 2

adjective

work·​ing-class ˈwər-kiŋ-ˈklas How to pronounce working-class (audio)
: of, relating to, deriving from, or suitable to the class of wage earners
working-class virtues
a working-class family

working class

2 of 2

noun

: the class of people who work for wages usually at manual labor

Examples of working-class in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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Adjective
The former governor, a moderate Democrat, is gunning for the same base of working-class, Black outer borough residents that helped Adams win in 2021. Josephine Stratman, New York Daily News, 10 Mar. 2025 The governor’s office also underscores that Maryland’s standard deduction is only a third of Virginia’s, meaning that some poor and working-class residents who would pay no income tax in Virginia make enough to pay income tax in Maryland. Paul Kiefer, Baltimore Sun, 10 Mar. 2025
Noun
There is no single issue in this country that has affected our economy and working class people and their jobs. ABC News, 9 Mar. 2025 Times are hard for the working class, who must contend with low pay and food shortages. Alissa Simon, Variety, 6 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for working-class

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1833, in the meaning defined above

Noun

1757, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of working-class was in 1757

Browse Nearby Words

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Cite this Entry

“Working-class.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/working-class. Accessed 14 Mar. 2025.

Kids Definition

working class

noun
: the class of people who work for wages usually in manual labor
working-class adjective

More from Merriam-Webster on working-class

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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