cronyism
|cro/ny/ism|
C1
🇺🇸
/ˈkroʊniˌɪzəm/
🇬🇧
/ˈkrəʊniˌɪzəm/
favoritism towards friends
Etymology
Etymology Information
'cronyism' originates from the English word 'crony,' which itself comes from the Greek word 'khronios,' meaning 'long-lasting.'
Historical Evolution
'crony' evolved from the Greek 'khronios' to the English 'crony,' and eventually led to the formation of 'cronyism' in the 19th century.
Meaning Changes
Initially, it referred to a close friend, but over time it evolved into its current meaning of favoritism towards friends in political or business appointments.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
the practice of favoring one's close friends, especially in political appointments.
The new mayor was accused of cronyism after appointing his friends to key positions.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Last updated: 2025/01/27 19:01