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
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.
Adjective
Frampton is adored in Irish boxing circles as a gritty fighter who claimed belts in two divisions without ever straying far from his working-class roots. Brian Mazique, Forbes.com, 19 Sep. 2025 The actor, who grew up in a working-class family in Santa Monica, spent decades as a vocal climate activist, founding The Redford Center, dedicated to raising awareness for environmental causes, with his late son James in 2005. Dave Smith, Fortune, 17 Sep. 2025
Noun
My parents were working class people. Mikey O'Connell, HollywoodReporter, 8 Sep. 2025 Even though my dad was an insurance salesman and had some success, the way I was raised felt to me like a working class environment. Lynette Rice, Deadline, 7 Sep. 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 20 Sep. 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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