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

• 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

Carlin, who now produces Heidecker’s “Office Hours Live” podcast, described him as a workaholic and “unflappable.”

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 24, 2026

Having taken them to the Champions League for the first time since 1982-83, when it was the European Cup - and then to last season's quarter-finals - workaholic Emery has transformed Villa.

From BBC • Feb. 26, 2026

Takaichi is a self-proclaimed workaholic who vowed to “work, work, work, work” for the Japanese people when she took office in October.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 7, 2026

His staff meanwhile described him as a demanding workaholic.

From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 4, 2025

Mom’s boss is an unstoppable robot workaholic lawyer, so this happens a lot.

From "Leah on the Offbeat" by Becky Albertalli