English Explanatory Dictionary

nepotism

English dictionary entry

Meanings

noun
  1. The favoring of relatives (most strictly) or also personal friends (more broadly) because of their relationship rather than because of their abilities.

Pronunciation

/ˈnɛp.ə.tɪ.zəm/ /ˈniː.pə.tɪ.zəm/ en-us-nepotism.ogg /ˈnep.ə.tɪ.zəm/ en-au-nepotism.ogg /ˈnep.ə.tə.zəm/

Word forms

nepotism nepotisms

Etymology

Borrowed from French népotisme, from Italian nepotismo, from Latin nepōs (“nephew”), a reference to the practice of popes appointing relatives (most often nephews) as cardinals during the Middle Ages and Renaissance.

Antonyms

meritocracy

Related words

nepotistic nepotistical

Derived words

antinepotism nepotism baby nepotism friend
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