hanger-on

American  

[hang-er-on, -awn] / ˈhæŋ ərˈɒn, -ˈɔn /

noun

plural

hangers-on

1. a person who remains in a place or joins a group, another person, etc., especially in the hope or expectation of personal gain, even though their presence may be neither wanted nor needed.

   Synonyms:

   follower, sycophant, parasite, toady

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hanger-on British  

noun

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

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Etymology

Origin of hanger-on

1540–50; noun use of verb phrase hang on; -er ¹

Example Sentences

The way I see it, many Epstein hangers-on believed they were doing nothing wrong.

From The Wall Street Journal

No pop artist has ever survived haters, handlers and hangers-on without a scratch.

From Los Angeles Times

Think backward: Where things begin is the bitter end, at a glitzy Hollywood Hills party in 1976 full of showbiz hangers-on.

From Los Angeles Times

The music fades and we, the hangers-on, disperse.

From Salon

A political get together, a party conference for the politicians, members, and associated hangers-on, would never transform a prime minister's fortunes with the public overnight.

From BBC