a day laborer

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a day laborer" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a person who is hired to perform manual labor on a daily basis, often for low wages and without a long-term contract. Example: "During the summer, he worked as a day laborer, helping with various construction projects around the city."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

During Jared's post-Jennifer days in Gainesville, my friend A.J. used the kid as a day laborer once a year.

Vice

Mary Drummond spent much of her time in nearby Endicott working intermittently as a day laborer.

The New York Times

But Genaro Caceres Camones, a day laborer, is still serving a 10-year sentence for treason.

The New York Times

Khan, who worked as a day laborer, was on his way to a construction site.

The New Yorker

Mr. Carranza, a father to one child, sometimes worked as a day laborer.

The New York Times

Her father, a day laborer at a pickle factory, earns less than he used to.

The New York Times

A day laborer was struck by a tumbling stack of unsecured metal beams.

The New York Times

"Here there are no Iraqis, no Muslims," said Juan, a day laborer from El Salvador.

The New York Times

In Estrutural, her husband can sometimes find work as a day laborer.

The New York Times

Since graduating from high school, Mr. Grayson has worked mostly as a day laborer.

The New York Times

That donor wrote about how his great-grandfather, an Italian immigrant, had worked as a day laborer for 80 years.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about socioeconomic issues, use the term "a day laborer" to accurately represent individuals engaged in temporary manual work and to emphasize their employment conditions.

Common error

Be cautious of using the term "a day laborer" in ways that perpetuate stereotypes or generalizations about immigrant communities or socio-economic status. Always focus on factual representation and respectful language.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a day laborer" functions primarily as a noun phrase, identifying a person who performs manual labor for daily wages. Ludwig AI's examples illustrate its use in describing employment conditions and socio-economic contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

93%

Science

5%

Wiki

2%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a day laborer" is a common and grammatically sound phrase used to describe an individual engaged in temporary manual labor, often for daily wages. Ludwig AI confirms that the term is primarily found in news and media contexts, often related to discussions of labor markets, immigration, and socioeconomic conditions. While the phrase itself is neutral, writers should be mindful of potential stereotypes and ensure respectful, factual representation. Consider alternatives like "a temporary worker" or "a casual worker" depending on the intended emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a daily worker

Directly reflects the daily nature of the employment.

a temporary worker

Focuses on the temporary nature of the employment, rather than the specific type of labor.

a casual worker

Emphasizes the informality and lack of commitment in the employment arrangement.

a manual worker

Highlights the physical aspect of the labor involved.

a short-term employee

Emphasizes the limited duration of the employment.

a hired hand

Implies a more informal and possibly rural setting for the labor.

a construction worker

Specifies a common industry where day laborers are employed.

a farmhand

Specifies a context of agricultural labor.

an odd-jobber

Suggests a variety of tasks performed, rather than specialized labor.

a migrant worker

Highlights the potential for workers to move from place to place to seek work.

FAQs

How can I use "a day laborer" in a sentence?

You can use "a day laborer" to describe someone who is hired for a day's work, often involving manual labor. For example, "The construction site employed several "day laborers" for the demolition project."

What are some synonyms for "a day laborer"?

Alternatives to "a day laborer" include "a temporary worker", "a casual worker", or "a daily worker", depending on the specific context.

Is it appropriate to use the term "a day laborer" in formal writing?

Yes, "a day laborer" is generally acceptable in formal writing, especially when discussing labor economics, social issues, or employment trends. However, ensure the context is respectful and avoids perpetuating stereotypes.

What is the difference between "a day laborer" and "a migrant worker"?

While there can be overlap, "a day laborer" refers to the nature of the employment (work done on a daily basis), whereas "a migrant worker" refers to someone who moves from place to place to find work, which may or may not be day labor.