workaholic

American  

[wurk-uh-haw-lik, -hol-ik] / ˌwɜrk əˈhɔ lɪk, -ˈhɒl ɪk /

noun

1. a person who works compulsively at the expense of other pursuits.

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workaholic British  

/ ˌwɜːkəˈhɒlɪk /

noun

1. 1. a person obsessively addicted to work

   2. ( as modifier )

      workaholic behaviour

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• workaholism
  noun

Etymology

Origin of workaholic

First recorded in 1965–70; work + -aholic

Explanation

A workaholic is someone who can't stop working. Workaholics are obsessed with working to an unhealthy degree. Just as an alcoholic has an unhealthy addiction to alcohol, workaholics have an unhealthy addiction to work. Wanting to work all the time might sound like a harmless desire, but for some people it's a real problem. A workaholic goes to work early and stays late. A workaholic might have trouble relaxing. Many workaholics neglect their families and friends because all they care about is work. Workaholics take a good thing — working — too far.

Example Sentences

Musk, who wears the mantle of a workaholic proudly, has often said he's not in business simply to make money - claims he repeated recently with regard to his Twitter takeover.

From BBC • Jun. 4, 2026

He has kept up his well-known workaholic pace that only slowed somewhat after he was diagnosed with cancer in January 2024.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 5, 2026

His staff meanwhile described him as a demanding workaholic.

From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 4, 2025

People who have worked directly with Musk have described him as both a visionary and a workaholic, who others can only keep up with for so long.

From BBC • Jul. 9, 2025

“What’s it like going from being a workaholic to this?”

From "The Line Tender" by Kate Allen