shopaholic

The term "shopaholic" describes someone who is overly focused on shopping. While many people enjoy buying things, a shopaholic feels a strong and repeated need to shop, often leading to money problems, stress, and trouble in relationships. It's not simply about wanting nice things; it's also about the process of shopping itself - the hunt for deals, the excitement of getting something new, and the short relief from negative feelings that buying can bring.

The term gained popularity in the late 20th century as consumer culture grew, and it is often used informally to describe someone who spends a lot of money on things they do not really need. However, it can also refer to a more serious pattern of compulsive shopping that has real consequences.

You might hear "shopaholic" used in a light, joking way - "My friend is such a shopaholic; she can't resist a sale!" - but for some people, the behavior is not funny at all. It can be a real struggle. A character in a story might be portrayed as a shopaholic whose heavy spending hides deeper emotional problems, or an article might discuss people seeking help for compulsive shopping. The term points to the strong pull of consumer culture and the risks of spending without control.