hanger-on

[hang-er-on, -awn]

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

hanger-on

noun

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of hanger-on¹

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