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

Gala was the free-spirit hanger-on in the city’s club scene, falling for a rock singer and happily dishing about her Southern California misadventures.

From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 1, 2025

In “The Bear,” Matty Matheson, the Canadian chef and restaurateur, plays the hanger-on and handyman Neil, his first scripted role.

From New York Times • Jun. 20, 2023

Jamie saw himself as the fresh young star and Roy as the aging, hanger-on standing in his way.

From Salon • Mar. 25, 2023

But something about these “Clerks” characters — and he plays one of them: the taciturn store hanger-on known as Silent Bob — keeps pulling him back to the well.

From Washington Post • Sep. 8, 2022

She was with that whole Zach Powers crew, and not as a hanger-on either.

From "Schooled" by Gordon Korman