hanger-on

[ hang-er-on, -awn ]
/ ˈhæŋ ərˈɒn, -ˈɔn /
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noun, plural hang·ers-on.

a person who remains in a place or attaches himself or herself to a group, another person, etc., although not wanted, especially in the hope or expectation of personal gain.

Origin of hanger-on

1540–50; noun use of verb phrase hang on; see -er1

Words nearby hanger-on

hangchow, hangdog, hanged for a sheep as a lamb, might as well be, hanged, drawn, and quartered, hanger, hanger-on, hangfire, hangi, hanging, hanging gardens of babylon, hanging glacier

Words related to hanger-on

lackey, dependent, freeloader, parasite, sycophant, follower, flunky, nuisance, leech, sponger

Example sentences from the Web for hanger-on

British Dictionary definitions for hanger-on

hanger-on

noun plural hangers-on

a sycophantic follower or dependant, esp one hoping for personal gain