If you describe someone as a hanger-on, you are critical of them because they are trying to be friendly with a richer or more important person, especially in order to gain an advantage for themselves.
[disapproval]
This is where the young stars and their hangers-on come to party.
Synonyms: parasite, follower, cohort [mainly US], leech More Synonyms of hanger-on
hanger-on in British English
nounWord forms: pluralhangers-on
a sycophantic follower or dependant, esp one hoping for personal gain
hanger-on in American English
(ˈhæŋərˈɑn)
nounWord forms: pluralˈhangˈers-on
a follower or dependent
; specif.,
a.
a person who joins another, some group, etc. although not wanted
b.
a follower who seeks personal gain; sycophant; parasite