What does workaholic mean?
A workaholic is a person who works with unusual intensity, often to the point of excessive or compulsive devotion. The word can be used as a noun for the person and as an adjective for behavior, habits, workplaces, or organizational cultures associated with relentless work. Its meaning is broader than simply being a diligent or successful employee: it suggests a difficulty in stopping, a tendency to prioritize work over rest, relationships, or other responsibilities. The term may be used critically to describe burnout and unhealthy workplace expectations, but it can also be used more lightly to characterize an especially ambitious or industrious person. Workaholic became established in modern English during the 1960s by combining “work” with the pattern represented by “-aholic.” Today, it remains a familiar and useful label for discussing motivation, overwork, workplace culture, and the boundary between commitment and compulsion.
A person who is excessively or compulsively devoted to work.
"Her colleagues described her as a workaholic who was always the first to arrive and the last to leave."
The noun can be used approvingly of an especially committed worker, but it often implies that the devotion is excessive or difficult to control.
Characterized by an excessive or uncontrollable tendency to work.
"The company’s workaholic culture rewarded long hours more than thoughtful collaboration."
Commonly used before nouns describing conduct, attitudes, people, or workplaces, such as “workaholic behavior” or “workaholic culture.”
The standard plural is “workaholics,” used for multiple people characterized by excessive devotion to work.
"Many highly successful executives are also workaholics."
The “-aholic” ending turns devotion into addiction: a workaholic may not drink, but can still treat work as a substance he or she cannot do without.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of workaholic
Workaholic is an English compound formed from “work” and “alcoholic,” using the latter’s “-aholic” ending to suggest compulsive devotion rather than literal alcohol dependence. The pattern was especially productive in the mid-20th century, when words such as “shopaholic” and “foodaholic” became established alongside it. The word is generally understood to have emerged in the 1960s, although its precise earliest usage is not necessary for understanding its modern meaning.
Related word forms
How workaholic is actually used
The term is common in informal, workplace, and journalistic contexts and can sound admiring, neutral, or disapproving depending on the speaker. As an adjective, it is often used before words such as “behavior,” “habits,” “culture,” or “employee.” British and American pronunciations differ slightly in the vowels, especially in the second syllable.
Easily confused with workaholic
An alcoholic has a compulsive or dependent relationship with alcohol, whereas a workaholic has an excessive or compulsive relationship with work.