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
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 what qualifies as high concept by Madea-movie standards, the character is transplanted to a resort in the Bahamas along with her family and the usual hangers-on.
—
Murtada Elfadl, Variety, 14 July 2025
Financial literacy is a fundamental need for players making tens of millions of dollars, engulfed in a universe of scheming advisors and hangers-on looking to cash in.
—Guy Lawson, Rolling Stone, 22 June 2025
His attorneys portrayed his accusers as Hollywood wannabes and hangers-on who willingly hooked up with him to court opportunity, then recast the encounters as crimes years later to collect settlement funds and #MeToo approbation.
—Jennifer Peltz, Chicago Tribune, 11 June 2025
There is a reason so many Florida university and college presidents are these days being recruited from the ranks of politicians and political hangers-on.
—Ron Cunningham, The Orlando Sentinel, 8 June 2025
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Murtada Elfadl, Variety, 14 July 2025
Financial literacy is a fundamental need for players making tens of millions of dollars, engulfed in a universe of scheming advisors and hangers-on looking to cash in.
—Guy Lawson, Rolling Stone, 22 June 2025
His attorneys portrayed his accusers as Hollywood wannabes and hangers-on who willingly hooked up with him to court opportunity, then recast the encounters as crimes years later to collect settlement funds and #MeToo approbation.
—Jennifer Peltz, Chicago Tribune, 11 June 2025
There is a reason so many Florida university and college presidents are these days being recruited from the ranks of politicians and political hangers-on.
—Ron Cunningham, The Orlando Sentinel, 8 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for hanger-on
Cite this Entry
“Hanger-on.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hanger-on. Accessed 22 Jul. 2025.
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