cling-on
|cling-on|
🇺🇸
/ˈklɪŋ.ɑn/
🇬🇧
/ˈklɪŋ.ɒn/
hangs on to someone
Etymology
'cling-on' originates from English, formed from the verb 'cling' and the preposition 'on'; 'cling' (Old English 'clingan') meant 'to hold fast' and 'on' (Old English 'on') meant 'on/upon'.
'cling' came from Old English 'clingan' and survived into Modern English as 'cling'; the compound noun 'cling-on' developed in informal Modern English (chiefly British, 20th century) from the verb + preposition construction.
Initially a literal idea of 'holding on' or 'sticking to' something; over time it evolved into a figurative, often derogatory noun meaning 'a person who clings emotionally or socially to another.'
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
an informal, often derogatory term for a person who is emotionally dependent on or overly attached to another person; a 'clingy' person.
She refuses to go out without him—he calls her a cling-on.
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Antonyms
Noun 2
a person who persistently stays close to or follows someone (often a more important or popular person) in order to benefit from the association; a hanger-on.
The celebrity's party was full of cling-ons hoping to be noticed.
Synonyms
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Idioms
Last updated: 2025/10/03 15:59