hang about

verb

hung about; hanging about; hangs about

intransitive verb

British

: hang sense 12

Synonyms of hang about

• veg out
• kick back
• kill time
• hang (around or out)
• lazy
• goof (off)
• hack (around)
• lounge
• bum
• rest
• relax
• chill
• play
• footle
• idle
• kick around
• loaf
• stroll

Examples of hang about in a Sentence

a tea house near campus where many university students could be seen hanging about

we'll be hanging about at the pub if you need us

Recent Examples on the Web

President James Garfield’s assassin, Charles Guiteau, died by hanging about five months after he was convicted of murder. — USA Today, 17 June 2026

On Monday, May 18, a 7%-illuminated crescent will hang about two degrees from Venus, with Jupiter about 20 degrees above. — Jamie Carter, Space.com, 15 May 2026

The plush beds have new headboards, tapestries by local artist Elena Carozzi now hang about the beds, bespoke wardrobes and minibars were created in dark wood and straw, and the bathrooms have been redone in green Cipollino marble. — Laura Itzkowitz, Travel + Leisure, 1 May 2026

Though the sisters are supposedly first-generation Italian American, no whiff of the old country hangs about Kay; Dorothy will at least spit out a few words in Italian. — Television Critic, Los Angeles Times, 10 Mar. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1781, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for hang about

• roundabout
• runabout
• sauerkraut
• thereabout
• turnabout
• bailout
• blackout
• blowout
• breakout
• burnout
• buyout
• checkout