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Workaholic Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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workaholic

[ˌwɜːrkəˈhɒlɪk ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Noun

person

A person who works excessively hard and long hours, often to the detriment of their health and relationships. Workaholics may feel a compulsive need to work and have difficulty relaxing or taking breaks.

Synonyms

work addict, work enthusiast, work fiend.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
workaholic

Best used to describe someone who is obsessed with their work to the point that it impacts their personal life and health. Often carries a negative connotation.

  • John is a workaholic; he stays in the office until midnight every day.
work addict

Similar to 'workaholic,' it describes someone addicted to their work, but adds a slightly more clinical or serious tone.

  • She didn't realize she had become a work addict until her doctor warned her about stress-related health problems.
work enthusiast

This term is more positive and describes someone who has a great passion and love for their work, without the negative implications of overdoing it.

  • Mark is a work enthusiast who genuinely enjoys every project he takes on.
work fiend

Conveys a more intense and sometimes negative or aggressive form of dedication to work, often implying a relentless and somewhat obsessive nature.

  • As a work fiend, Sarah often skips lunch and stays late to meet her deadlines.

Examples of usage

  • He's such a workaholic that he's always the last to leave the office.
  • She's a workaholic who never takes a day off, even on weekends.
Context #2 | Noun

behavior

The tendency to prioritize work above all else, often leading to neglect of other aspects of life such as family, friends, and hobbies.

Synonyms

overwork, work fixation, work obsession.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
workaholic

This term describes a person who is addicted to work and has an intense desire to work all the time. It often implies that the person is neglecting other aspects of their life, such as family or hobbies. It can have a negative connotation, suggesting an unhealthy balance between work and personal life.

  • John is such a workaholic; he never takes time off to relax.
  • Being a workaholic can lead to burnout and stress.
overwork

This term refers to the act of working too much, which can lead to physical and mental exhaustion. It is generally used to describe a state or condition rather than a personality trait. It often has negative implications for one's health and well-being.

  • She fell ill due to overwork and had to take a medical leave.
  • Overworking can decrease productivity over time.
work obsession

This term signifies a compulsive need or preoccupation with work, often to the point of neglecting other important areas of life. It can be used interchangeably with workaholic but focuses more on the compulsive aspect. It usually implies a negative impact on overall well-being.

  • Her work obsession has made it difficult for her to maintain friendships.
  • An unhealthy work obsession can lead to severe stress.
work fixation

This phrase describes an intense focus or preoccupation with work to the extent that it dominates one's thoughts and activities. It is similar to workaholism but emphasizes the mental preoccupation with work tasks. It has a somewhat negative connotation, suggesting imbalance.

  • His work fixation is so intense that he even dreams about his projects.
  • Developing a work fixation can harm your relationships.

Examples of usage

  • His workaholic behavior has strained his relationships with his loved ones.
  • The company culture promotes a workaholic mindset, discouraging work-life balance.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Psychology

  • Being a workaholic can lead to negative health effects, including stress and burnout, as intense focus on work may cause neglect of personal relationships.
  • Research has shown that workaholics often equate their self-worth with their work achievements, which can lead to anxiety when not working.

Cultural Impact

  • In many cultures, especially in the United States, strong work ethics are celebrated, which can promote the workaholic mentality.
  • Popular media often portrays workaholics as overly dedicated heroes or as characters who need to learn to balance work and home life.

Work-Life Balance

  • The rise of remote work has blurred the lines between work and home life, making it easier for individuals to become workaholics.
  • Programs promoting work-life balance have become popular in many companies as a response to increasing awareness about the dangers of overworking.

Sociology

  • Workaholism can affect family dynamics, as family members may feel neglected or unimportant due to the overwhelming focus on work.
  • Studies indicate that children of workaholic parents might struggle with their relationships, perceiving love as conditional on success and achievement.

Origin of 'workaholic'

Main points about word origin

  • The term 'workaholic' was created in the 1970s, combining 'work' and 'alcoholic' to describe people addicted to their jobs.
  • It first appeared in a publication called 'The New York Times' to describe an increasing trend of overworking.

The term 'workaholic' originated in the 1960s, combining 'work' and 'alcoholic' to describe a person addicted to work. It gained popularity as society increasingly valued productivity and success in the workplace. The concept of workaholism has been studied in psychology and sociology, highlighting its impact on mental health and relationships.

See also: coworker, coworkers, hardworking, overwork, rework, reworking, unworkability, unworkable, work, workability, workable, workableness, workaround, workbench, worker, workers, workforce, working, worklessness, workload, workmanship, workmates, workmen, workout, workplace, works, workshop, workstation, worktable, worktop, workwear, workweek.

Word Frequency Rank

This word's position of #33,252 indicates it's among the more rare English words. While understanding it broadens your vocabulary, focus on more common words first.