Words / C2

NEP-uh-tiz-uh-m/ˈnepətɪzəm/

Nepotism is unfair preferment of relatives, especially in appointments: accusations of nepotism, a nepotistic hire. Favouritism is the wider everyday word; cronyism is the friends-and-allies cousin. Nepot- is nephew in the Latin. Do not call a published, scored appointment nepotism because the successful candidate has a surname you recognise.

Meaning

Unfair advantage given to relatives, especially in jobs.

Examples

• “Nepotism on the rota is not “knowing the team”.”
• “Favouritism is wider (already in the dictionary as favour). Cronyism is mates, not kin. A sycophant (already in C2) flatters; a relative is simply related. Kinship (already in the dictionary) is the fact of family, not the abuse. A scored, dated board is the defence; a quiet swap on the night rota is the problem.”

Good to know

Jobs for family. Everyday: favouritism. Cousin: cronyism (friends). Kinship is the fact; nepotism is the abuse. A scored board is not a plot.

Near in meaning

favouritism

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