hanger-on

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   a person who stays close to someone powerful, wealthy, or famous in the hope of gaining status or advantage

   The singer's newest hanger-on praised every decision in the hope of receiving a favor.

An agent compound formed from the phrasal verb hang on, in its older sense 'remain attached to or in attendance upon.' The noun has referred since the sixteenth century to someone who lingers around a person or institution, especially for reflected status or material advantage. Its standard plural is hangers-on.

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