gig worker

noun

plural gig workers

: a person who works temporary jobs typically in the service sector as an independent contractor or freelancer : a worker in the gig economy

Gig workers have freedoms that most full-timers only dream of: setting their own hours, working from home, being their own bosses. No wonder the gig economy comprised 16 percent of all workers by 2015, according to research by economists Lawrence Katz and Alan Krueger.

—Andy Sullivan

In addition to having more stable space, the affluent often have greater latitude to remain inside it. They can work on Zoom, shop on Amazon and have gig workers deliver meals.

—Jason DeParle

Examples of gig worker in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Hiring gig workers can be a cost-saving tool for businesses. —Jason Leverant, Forbes, 21 Nov. 2024

The cross-country group also spent several hours canvassing other drivers at O’Hare airport, asking them to write letters supporting the Chicago rideshare ordinance and to join the upcoming deactivation campaign, said Lori Simmons, gig worker organizer with the People’s Lobby in Chicago. —Tatiana Walk-Morris, USA TODAY, 10 Oct. 2024

In the movie, a well meaning but rather inept angel named Gabriel (Reeves) meddles in the lives of a struggling gig worker (Ansari) and a wealthy capitalist (Rogen). —Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 5 Nov. 2024

There’s also the potential for states like California to pursue legislation to allow ride-share drivers and certain other gig workers to become eligible for workers’ compensation, an issue the California court left open. —Cheryl Winokur Munk, CNBC, 6 Aug. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

2009, in the meaning defined above