shopaholic

noun

shop·a·hol·ic ˌshä-pə-ˈhȯ-lik

-ˈhä-

: one who is extremely or excessively fond of shopping

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The word alcoholic refers to someone who has a serious disorder. Addictive shopping can be serious, too, but the word shopaholic is most often used playfully to suggest mere excess rather than true addiction. Shopaholic first appeared in print in 1977. It was formed on the model of alcoholic, which was itself created many years earlier by combining alcohol with -ic, meaning "of or relating to." People evidently saw a parallel between someone addicted to alcohol and someone "addicted" to shopping. This is not the first time alcoholic has spawned a spinoff word-shopaholic was preceded by workaholic and chocoholic, both of which first turned up in 1968.

Example Sentences

Recent Examples on the Web Every business leader, including me, is preparing a wish list like a shopaholic before a Black Friday sale. —

Prasanna Singaraju, Forbes, 16 Mar. 2023 In the main gallery, the themes of anatomy, identity, and magic are explored through an eye-catching display that would entice any shopaholic. —

David Nash, Town & Country, 8 Sep. 2022 Brady says the new version of Hilary (originated by Karyn Parsons) is inspired by the shopaholic. —

Erin Jensen, USA TODAY, 12 Feb. 2022 The global pandemic brought out the online shopaholic in us all. —

Stefan Katanic, Forbes, 7 June 2021 The second is a series of apologies and excuses for a tax cheat, voyeur-sadist, bad son, skinflint, publicity hound, social climber, shopaholic. —

Stephen Metcalf, Los Angeles Times, 22 Apr. 2020 This designer clothing rental service Take it from a real-life shopaholic: Rent the Runway is the best thing that's happened to her closet (and her wallet). —

Amanda Tarlton, USA TODAY, 24 Dec. 2019 Shulman, who counsels recovering shopaholics and shoplifters, said compulsive shopping is becoming a growing problem for many people. —

Susan Tompor, Detroit Free Press, 12 Dec. 2019 Rather conveniently for a shopaholic like me, the hotel may be entered from both major shopping thoroughfares, Avenida Alvear and Calle Posadas. —

Suzy Buckley, Town & Country, 14 Jan. 2013 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'shopaholic.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.