infomaniac
LowInformal, humorous, mildly derogatory
Definition
Meaning
A person obsessed with acquiring or consuming information, often to an excessive degree.
Someone characterized by an insatiable compulsion to seek, accumulate, or share information, often facilitated by digital technology, to the point where it may interfere with other aspects of life.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
A blend of 'information' and 'maniac'. Often used to describe a modern, internet-fueled obsession. It implies a lack of control or a compulsive quality, similar to terms like 'shopaholic' or 'workaholic'.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in definition or usage.
Connotations
Slightly more common in American tech/media commentary, but the term is understood in both varieties.
Frequency
Very low frequency in both, but slightly higher in American English due to prominence of Silicon Valley and tech culture discourse.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[Person] is a(n) [infomaniac].He/She has turned into a(n) [infomaniac].to be a bit of a(n) [infomaniac]Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “He's an infomaniac, always down the rabbit hole of some obscure wiki.”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Rare. Might be used humorously to describe a colleague who over-researches every decision.
Academic
Extremely rare. Not a formal psychological or sociological term.
Everyday
Used in casual conversation to describe someone's annoying or amusing habit of constant information checking.
Technical
Not used in technical fields like IT. Belongs to popular socio-cultural commentary.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- He tends to infomaniac his way through every holiday, researching endlessly.
American English
- She totally infomaniacked the project, gathering ten times the necessary data.
adjective
British English
- His infomaniac tendencies mean he's never without his phone.
American English
- She has an infomaniac approach to buying a new blender.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- My brother is an infomaniac. He always reads news on his phone.
- Ever since he got a smartphone, he's become a bit of an infomaniac.
- A self-confessed infomaniac, she spends hours each day diving into Wikipedia articles on obscure topics.
- The digital age has created a new breed of infomaniacs, for whom the compulsive consumption of online data serves as a substitute for deeper understanding.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: INFO + MANIAC. A maniac for information.
Conceptual Metaphor
INFORMATION IS A DRUG / INFORMATION IS FOOD (e.g., 'junkie', 'consuming news', 'insatiable').
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid literal translation. Not "информационный маньяк" (which sounds like a criminal). Closer to "инфоголик" (a neologism) or "одержимый информацией".
Common Mistakes
- Confusing with 'bibliomaniac' (obsessed with books). Using it in formal writing. Misspelling as 'informaniac'. Assuming it's a clinical term.
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following best describes an 'infomaniac'?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is not a recognized clinical or psychological diagnosis. It is a colloquial, humorous term describing a behavioral tendency.
An infomaniac is defined by the *compulsive process* of seeking information, often without clear purpose or integration. A knowledgeable person has deeply learned and understood information.
Rarely. It usually carries a mildly critical or humorous tone, implying excess and lack of focus. In very specific contexts, it might be used with admiration for someone's dedication.
Not in standard dictionaries. However, in very informal speech, it can be used creatively as a verb (e.g., "He infomaniacked the entire trip"), meaning to research something obsessively.