crony
UK: ˈkrəʊni | US: ˈkroʊni
n. a close friend or companion, often implying longstanding or exclusive friendship
n. (derogatory) a close associate, especially in political or business contexts, suggesting favoritism or corruption
The word crony originated in 17th-century university slang, likely from Greek chronos (time), implying a friend of long duration. Over time, it evolved to emphasize close, often exclusive friendships, later acquiring a negative connotation in political contexts (e.g., "cronyism"). The suffix -y adds a colloquial tone, reinforcing the informal or intimate nature of the relationship.
He went to the pub with his old cronies from college.
The mayor was accused of giving jobs to his cronies.
She’s not just a coworker—she’s been my crony for years.
Cronyism undermines trust in government institutions.
The CEO surrounded himself with loyal cronies rather than qualified professionals.