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1

hang

play
verb \ˈhaŋ\

Definition of hang

hung

play \ˈhəŋ\ also

hanged

play \ˈhaŋd\;

hanging

play \ˈhaŋ-iŋ\
  1. transitive verb

  2. 1a :  to fasten to some elevated point without support from below :  suspend hang a picture on the wallb :  to suspend by the neck until dead —often hanged in the past —often used as a mild oath I'll be hangedc :  to fasten so as to allow free motion within given limits upon a point of suspension hang a doord :  to adjust the hem of (a skirt) so as to hang evenly and at a proper height

  3. 2 :  to furnish with hanging decorations (such as flags or bunting) Hang the windows with velvet curtains. a room hung with streamers

  4. 3 :  to hold or bear in a suspended or inclined manner hung his head in shame

  5. 4 :  to apply to a wall hang wallpaper

  6. 5 :  to display (pictures) in a gallery

  7. 6 baseball :  to throw (a pitch, such as a curveball) so that it fails to break properly

  8. 7 :  to make (a turn) especially while driving hang a right hung a quick U-turn — Tom Clancy

  9. 8 :  base, found something to hang our hopes on

  10. intransitive verb

  11. 1a :  to remain suspended or fastened to some point above without support from below :  dangleb :  to die by being suspended by the neck —often hanged in the past He hanged for his crimes.c :  to be connected as something relevant or related thereby hangs a tale — William Shakespeare

  12. 2 :  to hover or remain stationary in the air clouds hanging low overhead

  13. 3 :  linger, persist The thought hung in her mind for days.

  14. 4 :  to be imminent :  impend doom hung over the nation

  15. 5 :  to fall or droop from a usually tense or taut position let the reins hang loose on the horse's back Their mouths hung open in disbelief.

  16. 6 :  depend election hangs on one vote

  17. 7a (1) :  to take hold for support :  cling she hung on his arm (2) :  to keep persistent contact dogs hung to the trail (3) :  to maintain or continue holding a position hang behind (4) :  to stay even :  keep up —usually used with with trying to hang with the leaderb :  to be burdensome or oppressive time hangs on his hands

  18. 8 :  to be uncertain or in suspense the decision is still hanging

  19. 9 :  to lean, incline, or jut over or downward a rocky cliff that hangs overhead

  20. 10 :  to be in a state of rapt attention hung on her every word

  21. 11 :  to fit or fall from the figure in easy lines the coat hangs loosely

  22. 12 :  to pass time idly or in relaxing or socializing hanging at the beach —often used with around or out hung out with friends

  23. 13 of a thrown ball :  to fail to break or drop as intended

hangable

play \ˈhaŋ-ə-bəl\ adjective

hang fire

  1. 1 :  to be slow in the explosion of a charge after its primer has been discharged

  2. 2 :  delay, hesitate

  3. 3 :  to remain unsettled or unresolved The plans had to hang fire until the city council approved them.

hang it up

  1. :  to cease an activity or effort We all agreed it was time to hang it up.

hang loose

  1. :  to remain calm or relaxed

hang one on

  1. 1 :  to inflict a blow on wanted to hang one on him

  2. 2 slang :  to get very drunk

hang out to dry

  1. :  to leave stranded in a hopeless or dangerous situation The company hung us out to dry.

hang one's hat

  1. 1 :  to situate oneself in a place (such as a residence or place of employment) looking for a new place to hang my hat

  2. 2hang one's hat on :  to have or use (something) as a source of support need a career to hang my hat on

hang ten

  1. :  to ride a surfboard with the toes of both feet turned over the front edge

hang tough

  1. :  to remain resolute in the face of adversity :  hang in

See hang defined for English-language learners

See hang defined for kids

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hanged vs. hung

For both transitive and intransitive senses 1b the past and past participle hung, as well as hanged, is standard. Hanged is most appropriate for official executions he was to be hanged, cut down whilst still alive … and his bowels torn out — Louis Allen but hung is also used. gave orders that she should be hung — Peter Quennell Hung is more appropriate for less formal hangings. by morning I'll be hung in effigy — Ronald Reagan

Examples of hang in a Sentence

  1. He hung the painting on the wall.

  2. We hung paper lanterns from the trees.

  3. My grandmother used to hang the wash on a clothesline.

  4. A photograph of her family hangs on the wall.

  5. Several of her paintings are hanging in the Museum of Modern Art.

  6. Your coat is hanging in the closet.

  7. They plan to hang wallpaper in the hallway.

  8. He let his arm hang down into the water.

  9. They will hang him in the county jailhouse.

  10. He was hanged for his crimes.

Origin and Etymology of hang

partly from Middle English hon, from Old English hōn, transitive verb; partly from Middle English hangen, from Old English hangian, intransitive verb & transitive verb; both akin to Old High German hāhan, transitive verb, to hang, hangēn, intransitive verb — more at cunctation


First Known Use: before 12th century

hang Synonyms

Synonyms
dangle, sling, suspend, swing
Antonyms
settle, sink
Related Words
hook, mount, pin, tack; drape, festoon, garland, string; extend (out), jut, project, stick out; overhang, protrude; cascade, depend, fall; balance, poise
Near Antonyms
distend, stiffen; rise, straighten, unbend, uncurl
2

hang

noun

Definition of hang

  1. 1 :  the manner in which a thing is poised when suspended from above without support from below :  the way in which a thing hangs (see 1hang) the hang of a skirt

  2. 2 :  declivity, slope; also :  droop the hang of his lower lip

  3. 3 :  facility with or an understanding of something can't get the hang of this

  4. 4 :  a hesitation or slackening in motion or in a course a marked hang of the oar in the air before it dipped

give a hang

or

care a hang

  1. :  to be the least bit concerned or worried She doesn't give a hang whether she wins or not.

See hang defined for English-language learners

Examples of hang in a Sentence

  1. the hang of a skirt

  2. anyone foolish enough to ski that hang would end up with a broken neck

Origin and Etymology of hang

see 1hang


First Known Use: circa 1797

hang Synonyms

Synonyms
declension, declivity, descent, dip, downgrade, downhill, fall, decline, hanging
Antonyms
acclivity, ascent, rise, upgrade, uphill, uprise
Related Words
basin, depression, hollow
Near Antonyms
glacis, grade, gradient, hill, inclination, incline, lean, pitch, rake, tilt

HANG Defined for English Language Learners

hang

play
verb

Definition of hang for English Language Learners

  • : to attach or place something so that it is held up without support from below

  • : to decorate (a surface) by hanging something (such as a picture) on it

  • : to put (wallpaper) on a wall

hang

noun

Definition of hang for English Language Learners

  • : the way in which something hangs

HANG Defined for Kids

1

hang

play
verb \ˈhaŋ\

Definition of hang for Students

hung

\ˈhəŋ\ also

hanged

;

hanging

  1. 1 :  to fasten or be fastened to something without support from below I helped Mom hang curtains.

  2. 2 :  to kill or be killed by suspending (as from a gallows) by a rope tied around the neck

  3. 3 :  to cause to droop The dog hung her head.

hang around

  1. 1 :  to be or stay (somewhere) without doing much They like to hang around the mall.

  2. 2 :  to pass time without doing much We hung around until dark.

hang on

  1. 1 :  to hold or grip something tightly

  2. 2 :  to wait or stop briefly I'm busy. Can you hang on a minute?

  3. 3 :  to be determined or decided by The decision hangs on one vote.

hang out

  1. :  to pass time without doing much

hang up

  1. 1 :  to place on a hook or hanger

  2. 2 :  to end a telephone connection

2

hang

play
noun

Definition of hang for Students

  1. 1 :  the way in which a thing hangs The skirt has a graceful hang.

  2. 2 :  skill to do something I got the hang of skating.

Law Dictionary

hang

verb

Legal Definition of hang

hung

also

hanged

hanging
  1. transitive verb

  2. :  to suspend by the neck until dead especially as a form of execution —often hanged in the past tense

  3. intransitive verb

  4. 1 :  to die by hanging —often hanged in the past tense he hanged for his crimes

  5. 2 :  to be unable to reach a decision or verdict the jury hung on 19 counts against [him] — Randall Samborn

Learn More about hang

  1. See words that rhyme with hang Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for hang Spanish Central: Translation of hang Nglish: Translation of hang for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of hang for Arabic speakers

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Examples: hang in a Sentence
Usage guide: hanged vs. hung