What does ergomania mean?
Ergomania refers to an obsessive, compulsive devotion to work — a state in which working ceases to be a means to an end and becomes an end in itself. Formed from the Greek 'ergon', meaning work, combined with 'mania', it literally denotes a kind of madness centred on labour. The word sits alongside its far more familiar cousin 'workaholism', though it sounds more clinical and considerably rarer. Someone described as having ergomania works excessively, often to the detriment of health, relationships, and leisure, and may feel unable to stop even when they want to. The term carries a negative connotation: it does not simply praise diligence but suggests imbalance and compulsion. Its adjective form is 'ergomaniacal', and a sufferer may be called an 'ergomaniac'. While unlikely to appear in casual conversation, ergomania is a precise, evocative word for a phenomenon that modern working culture has made increasingly recognisable.
nounAn obsessive or compulsive devotion to work; an excessive, often unhealthy preoccupation with working.
- A compulsive or pathological obsession with work; excessive devotion to one's job.
"His ergomania left him answering emails at midnight and taking calls on holiday."
"Her ergomania was legendary around the office — she hadn't taken a vacation day in three years."
"The doctor warned him that his ergomania was quietly destroying his health and marriage."
Usually uncountable when referring to the general condition; a plural is possible when speaking of distinct instances or types of the obsession, though rare.
"Different ergomanias manifest differently — some people cannot stop working, others cannot stop organising their work."
From the Greek 'ergon' meaning work, ergomania names what modern culture politely rebrands as hustle — the Greeks saw it as a form of madness.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of ergomania
Ergomania derives from the ancient Greek 'ergon', meaning 'work' or 'deed', combined with 'mania', from Greek 'manía' meaning madness or frenzy. The same root 'ergon' underlies English words such as 'energy' ('work within'), 'synergy' ('working together'), 'ergonomic', and, via Greek 'cheirourgia' ('hand-work'), 'surgery'. The compound follows the classical pattern of '-mania' formations such as kleptomania and dipsomania, and entered English as part of that nineteenth-century vogue for coinages naming specific obsessions.
Related word forms
How ergomania is actually used
A rare, somewhat clinical or jocular term; in everyday speech most people say 'workaholic' or 'workaholism'. The word carries a mildly negative connotation, implying the compulsion is excessive rather than merely diligent.
Easily confused with ergomania
Ergomania is an obsessive love of work, whereas ergophobia is an irrational fear of or aversion to work.