hanger-on

noun

hang·​er-on ˈhaŋ-ər-ˌȯn 

-ˌän

plural hangers-on

: one that hangs around a person, place, or institution especially for personal gain

Synonyms

• bloodsucker
• free rider
• freeloader
• leech
• moocher
• parasite
• sponge
• sponger

Examples of hanger-on in a Sentence

almost overnight, the singer was a star, and almost overnight, he was surrounded by hangers-on who wanted something

Recent Examples on the Web

In a government that is already owned and operated by far-right cranks and hangers-on, Bongino can only do so much damage on his own. —Ross Rosenfeld, Newsweek, 26 Feb. 2025

Matthew is a classic hanger-on, whose own identity is mutable, molding himself to whoever is around him and shining their light on him. —Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 28 Jan. 2025

The parade at Mar-a-Lago was a steady stream of corporate executives, wealthy elites and hangers-on, some vying for plum appointments and favors from the president-elect. —Jennifer Jacobs, CBS News, 18 Jan. 2025

The disaffected machismo of Nadie seemed to exhaust the man taunting haters and hangers-on. —Craig Jenkins, Vulture, 13 Jan. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1542, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for hanger-on

• aileron
• antiphon
• autobahn
• carillon
• castellan
• celadon
• cephalon
• chitosan
• cynodon
• denouement
• deuteron
• echelon

Kids Definition

hanger-on

noun

hang·​er-on

ˈhaŋ-ə-ˌrȯn,

-ˌrän

plural hangers-on

: one that spends time around a person, place, or institution in hope of personal gain