nepotism
Americannoun
noun
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of nepotism
From the Italian word nepotismo, dating back to 1655–65. See nephew, -ism
Compare meaning
How does nepotism compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:
Explanation
Nepotism is the practice of favoritism based on kinship, like when the coach chooses his own kid to be the quarterback even if his kid stinks at football. The word nepotism comes from the Italian word for nephew, nepote. Apparently back in the 17th century a lot of people tended to promote their nephews to powerful positions at the expense of other candidates. Nepotism has come to mean favoritism of any family member, so if you’re the daughter of a powerful CEO, don’t worry, you can still be the beneficiary of nepotism. However, people might not like you when you become the Vice President, unless you’ve really earned the title.
Vocabulary lists containing nepotism
Power Suffix: -ism
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
100 SAT Words Beginning with "N"
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
Warrior Girl Unearthed
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Nepotism - giving work opportunities and advantages to your friends and family - has been the subject of debate in showbiz around the world for a number of years.
From BBC • Sep. 16, 2024
Nepotism puts favoritism and privilege above fairness and merit.
From The Guardian • Oct. 14, 2019
Nepotism is rife, as the younger Cain demonstrated.
From Washington Times • Jun. 19, 2019
Nepotism is a form of in-breeding; companies that widely practice this are slow to change, because everyone thinks the same way and values the same thing.
From New York Times • Feb. 21, 2018
Nepotism laws forbade her from teaching in one of Hampton’s public Negro elementary schools, since the school system already employed two of her sisters.
From "Hidden Figures" by Margot Lee Shetterly
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
