salaryman

noun

sal·​a·​ry·​man ˈsa-lə-rē-ˌman How to pronounce salaryman (audio)
ˈsal-rē-
: a Japanese white-collar businessman

Examples of salaryman 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.
There, a listless, middle-aged salaryman named Alex (played by Will Arnett) rediscovers himself as a stand-up comic. — David Sims, The Atlantic, 9 Jan. 2026 In a sea of gray-toned suits and uniforms, the woman trying to soothe her crying baby comes across as an outlier even before a belligerent young salaryman starts screaming at her for disturbing the peace. — Alison Willmore, Vulture, 8 Apr. 2026 Shinjuku is a massive office complex, so its commercial areas are catered to entertain flocks of Japanese salarymen after office hours. — Crista Priscilla, Condé Nast Traveler, 13 Oct. 2022 The crowd is a mish-mash of salarymen on quick breaks, locals who have clearly been coming here for decades and clusters of Gen Z friends smoking cigarettes while photographing their creamy coffee floats. — Alex Catarinella, Forbes.com, 27 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for salaryman

Word History

Etymology

Japanese sararī-man, from English salary + man

First Known Use

1962, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of salaryman was in 1962

Rhymes for salaryman

See All Rhymes for salaryman

Browse Nearby Words

salary
salaryman
salary/pay review
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Salaryman.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/salaryman. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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