What does ergophobia mean?
Ergophobia is a persistent fear of, or deep aversion to, work. The term combines the Greek word 'ergon', meaning work, with '-phobia', from the Greek 'phobos', meaning fear. Although it is occasionally discussed in the context of anxiety disorders, ergophobia is not a formally recognised clinical diagnosis; it is used far more often in informal or humorous contexts to describe an intense reluctance to work, whether rooted in genuine anxiety about workplace performance, fear of failure, or simple distaste for labour. Related forms include the adjective 'ergophobic' and the noun 'ergophobe', describing someone who has this aversion. Because it shares its root with words such as 'energy' and 'ergonomics', ergophobia offers a neat illustration of how Greek roots continue to shape English vocabulary. It is best treated as an informal or semi-humorous label rather than a medical term.
nounAn extreme or persistent fear of work; a deep aversion to working or to the workplace.
- A persistent fear of, or strong aversion to, work or the workplace.
"His chronic ergophobia made even the simplest office tasks feel insurmountable."
"After months of dread each Sunday night, she finally recognised her ergophobia as something worth treating."
"The satirist joked that ergophobia was the most common occupational hazard in his office."
Rarely pluralised, since the word typically refers to a single generalised aversion; the plural would appear only when discussing distinct instances or types across individuals.
"Psychologists have described various ergophobias, ranging from fear of manual labour to dread of office environments."
Coined from the Greek 'ergon' (work), ergophobia is the fear so many joke about on Monday morning — but it's a real, documented condition.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of ergophobia
Ergophobia derives from the Greek 'ergon' meaning 'work' combined with '-phobia' from Greek 'phobos' meaning 'fear'. The same root 'ergon' gives English words such as 'energy', 'synergy', 'ergonomics' and 'surgery'. The word is a modern coinage, formed much later than classical Greek, and has never gained wide clinical standing.
Related word forms
How ergophobia is actually used
Ergophobia is a relatively rare and somewhat jocular coinage, often used humorously rather than as a formal clinical diagnosis. It appears more in popular writing than in psychiatric literature.
Easily confused with ergophobia
Ergonomics is the science of designing workplaces for efficiency and comfort, whereas ergophobia is a fear of or aversion to work itself.
Agoraphobia is the fear of open or public spaces, while ergophobia is specifically the fear of work.