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

Bouncing back In short, the good economic news is real, whatever Trump and his hangers-on may say. —Paul Krugman, The Mercury News, 10 Oct. 2024

Their wealth involves a whole galaxy of servants and hangers-on who might feel threatened by a big change in their patron’s status quo. —Christian Holub, EW.com, 20 Sep. 2024

Despite the revelation of the real Black Mesa corporation, some hangers-on haven't quite given up hope that this is all still just an extremely subtle bit of stealth marketing. —Kyle Orland, Ars Technica, 15 Aug. 2024

Colin and Woody walk and talk and start to work things out, aided by a model-gorgeous hanger-on named Aphrodite (María Gabriela de Faría). —Peter Debruge, Variety, 31 July 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1542, in the meaning defined above

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