Word
nepotism
Phoneticsnepo·tism
US/ˈnɛpəˌtɪzəm/
UK/nˈɛpətˌɪzəm/
Definition
n. the practice of giving jobs or favors to friends, family, or people you know. It is often seen as unfair because it gives an advantage to those who are not the most qualified.
n. the practice of favoring relatives or close friends by giving them jobs, promotions, or other benefits. Often viewed as a form of corruption or conflict of interest in professional and political environments.
Examples
“The company was criticized for its nepotism.”
“The board of directors faced a scandal after it was revealed that several family members had been hired for high-paying roles due to nepotism.”
“While some argue that nepotism can foster a more loyal and cohesive internal culture, most modern corporate governance standards strictly prohibit the practice to ensure that hiring decisions are based solely on merit and skill.”
Examples
simple
“The company was criticized for its nepotism.”
contextual
“The board of directors faced a scandal after it was revealed that several family members had been hired for high-paying roles due to nepotism.”
complex
“While some argue that nepotism can foster a more loyal and cohesive internal culture, most modern corporate governance standards strictly prohibit the practice to ensure that hiring decisions are based solely on merit and skill.”
Real-World Examples
“The term refers to suggestions of nepotism when a young person follows in their famous parents' footsteps.” “Depp didn’t just suggest that nepotism played no part in her success, she also – rather bizarrely – argued that the term nepo baby is sexist .” 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.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- C1 · Advanced
- Updated
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QR code
englishreference.com/q/nepotism