noun
nepotism
NEHP-uh-tih-zuhm
Nepotism (noun) means giving jobs, favors, or advantages to relatives or close friends instead of choosing based on merit. Example: “Critics accused the mayor of nepotism after he hired his own son.”
noun
1
Giving jobs, favors, or advantages to relatives or close friends instead of choosing based on merit.
"Critics accused the mayor of nepotism after he hired his own son."
"The company's hiring policy was designed to prevent nepotism."
How to use nepotism
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishFavoring family members or friends for jobs or opportunities rather than picking the most qualified person.
Common pairings
accusations of nepotism
blatant nepotism
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Word forms
- Plural
- nepotisms
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Critics accused the mayor of _____ after he hired his own son.
Etymology
From Italian nepotismo, based on Latin nepos ("nephew") — a reference to popes historically appointing their nephews to powerful church positions.
Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for nepotism
See all rhymes for nepotism →Frequently asked questions
What does “nepotism” mean?
The word “nepotism” means giving jobs, favors, or advantages to relatives or close friends instead of choosing based on merit. In plain terms, favoring family members or friends for jobs or opportunities rather than picking the most qualified person.
How do you pronounce “nepotism”?
“Nepotism” is pronounced NEHP-uh-tih-zuhm (/ˈnɛp.ə.tɪ.zəm/ in IPA).
How do you use “nepotism” in a sentence?
Here is “nepotism” used in a sentence: “Critics accused the mayor of nepotism after he hired his own son.”
What is the opposite of “nepotism”?
The opposite of “nepotism” — its antonyms — is meritocracy.
What part of speech is “nepotism”?
“Nepotism” is a noun.
Where does the word “nepotism” come from?
The word “nepotism” comes from Latin. From Italian nepotismo, based on Latin nepos ("nephew") — a reference to popes historically appointing their nephews to powerful church positions.
