day job

noun

: one's regular employment as contrasted with an occasional, secondary, or coveted job

Examples of day job in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The company formed when brothers and co-owners Trey and Will Sims quit their day jobs to start making pickles commercially with their friend Andy Anderson. — Alana Al-Hatlani, Southern Living, 23 July 2026 While one of them was in several previous Playhouse on Park shows, the other three were students of his, either at his New York day job at the Spence School or in his private teaching practice. — Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 5 July 2026 Your second job might give you a wider perspective on your field than your day job alone. — Caroline Ceniza-Levine, Forbes.com, 4 July 2026 The fan, a police officer in his day job, was wearing a yellow United away shirt when a second man recognised the club crest on his chest and gave him a Leeds salute. — Beren Cross, New York Times, 1 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for day job

Word History

First Known Use

1971, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of day job was in 1971

Rhymes for day job

See All Rhymes for day job

Browse Nearby Words

day jessamine
day job
day labor
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Day job.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/day%20job. Accessed 31 Jul. 2026.

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