hanger-on
noun
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.
hangers-on
-
pluralof hanger-on.plural
The grammatical form denoting more than one person, place, thing, or idea.
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.
The last of them, these spent survivors, these hangers-on, had trudged to the Citrus Show to talk about the real problem, which was the disease.
From Slate ● Apr. 20, 2026
Everyone acted up: secretaries, senior partners, mailroom clerks, hangers-on.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Dec. 17, 2025
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 ● Sep. 27, 2025
And for a person who is surrounded by hangers-on, he also seems very alone.
From Salon ● Oct. 25, 2024
They could also buy their way into opera houses, most of which were nevertheless built, owned and controlled by rich patrons, chiefly for their own benefit and that of their friends and hangers-on.
From "The Story of Music" by Howard Goodall
