work-driven

Meanings

1. 1adjectivecomparable

   Motivated mainly by work or career demands, often to the point of neglecting other parts of life.

   Grammar: Can be used before a noun ('a work-driven manager') or after a linking verb ('She is very work-driven').

   Patterns

   • a work-driven person
   • be work-driven
   • become more work-driven

   He's so work-driven that he checks emails at midnight.

   The company's work-driven culture leaves little time for family.

   She became more work-driven after the promotion.

2. 2adjectivenot comparable

   Of a process, schedule, or decision: shaped primarily by the needs of work rather than personal or other factors.

   Grammar: Used before a noun; it describes the thing itself, not a person's character.

   Patterns

   • a work-driven schedule
   • work-driven decisions
   • a work-driven agenda

   Their work-driven timetable means meetings start at 7 a.m.

   The move was a work-driven decision, not a personal one.

Word forms

Common combinations

work-driven culture

The startup's work-driven culture attracted ambitious graduates.

work-driven lifestyle

A work-driven lifestyle can lead to burnout.

highly work-driven

She is highly work-driven and rarely takes holidays.

work-driven environment

He thrives in a fast, work-driven environment.

Synonyms and how they differ

career-driven

Focuses on advancement in a profession; work-driven is broader and can include any job demands.

driven

General word for strong motivation; work-driven specifies that the motivation comes from work.

workaholic

A noun for a person who cannot stop working; work-driven is an adjective describing the pattern.

Opposites

Word family

work-drivenness noun

The quality of being work-driven (rare).

Commonly confused: work-driven or work-related?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “work-driven”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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