hang

verb

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\ ˈhaŋ

hung\ ˈhəŋ

\ also hanged\ ˈhaŋd

\; hanging\ ˈhaŋ-iŋ

Definition of hang

(Entry 1 of 2)

transitive verb

1a : to fasten to some elevated point without support from below : suspend hang a picture on the wall

b : to suspend by the neck until dead —often hanged in the past —often used as a mild oath I'll be hanged

c : to fasten so as to allow free motion within given limits upon a point of suspension hang a door

d : to adjust the hem of (a skirt) so as to hang evenly and at a proper height

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

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

4 : to apply to a wall hang wallpaper

5 : to display (pictures) in a gallery

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

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

8 : base, found something to hang our hopes on

intransitive verb

1a : to remain suspended or fastened to some point above without support from below : dangle

b : 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

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

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

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

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.

6 : depend election hangs on one vote

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 leader

b : to be burdensome or oppressive time hangs on his hands

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

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

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

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

12 informal : to pass time idly or in relaxing or socializing : hang around, hang out hanging with friends hanging at the beach Off the track, Jones was all but invisible in Sydney. She prefers hanging with her husband … and a small inner circle of friends.— Mark Starr I had the chance to hang with Taibbi recently after he spoke to a Denver audience about his new book …— David Sirota

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

hang fire

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

2 : delay, hesitate

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

hang it up

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

hang loose

: to remain calm or relaxed

hang one on

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

2 slang : to get very drunk

hang out to dry

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

hang one's hat

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

hang ten

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

hang tough

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

hang

noun

Definition of hang (Entry 2 of 2)

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 hang entry 1) the hang of a skirt

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

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

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

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

Other Words from hang Synonyms & Antonyms Hanged vs. Hung: Usage Guide More Example Sentences Learn More About hang

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Synonyms & Antonyms for hang

Synonyms: Verb

Synonyms: Noun

Antonyms: Noun

Hanged vs. Hung: Usage Guide

Verb

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

Verb He hung the painting on the wall. We hung paper lanterns from the trees. My grandmother used to hang the wash on a clothesline. A photograph of her family hangs on the wall. Several of her paintings are hanging in the Museum of Modern Art. Your coat is hanging in the closet. They plan to hang wallpaper in the hallway. He let his arm hang down into the water. They will hang him in the county jailhouse. He was hanged for his crimes. Noun the hang of a skirt anyone foolish enough to ski that hang would end up with a broken neck

Recent Examples on the Web: Verb In a letter Thursday, Gableman asked the bipartisan Wisconsin Elections Commission to hang onto information about the election. — Patrick Marley, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 10 Sep. 2021 The fact-checking teams at both Reuters and The Associated Press have said the man was alive and attempting to hang a flag. — Emily Caldwell, Dallas News, 2 Sep. 2021 When deciding where to hang a mural, consider areas where its grand scale will be best showcased and appreciated. — Jessica Bennett, Better Homes & Gardens, 26 Aug. 2021 Barak Richman, a Duke University law professor argues that laws and policies haven’t been updated to reflect new technological realities partly because state medical boards want to hang onto their authority. — Time, 26 Aug. 2021 But Thursday’s news won’t stop the conference realignment talk that continues to hang over the college landscape. — Matt Murschel, orlandosentinel.com, 26 Aug. 2021 That money could have been spent elsewhere if taxpayers had been allowed to hang onto it. — Andrew Stuttaford, National Review, 13 Aug. 2021 On the wall, framed letters and a certificate of recognition for his service at the site hang nearby. — Brenda Cain, cleveland, 6 Sep. 2021 Three New Jersey police officers are lucky to be alive after they were forced to hang onto trees amid flooding caused by the remnants of Hurricane Ida. — Jason Duaine Hahn, PEOPLE.com, 2 Sep. 2021 Recent Examples on the Web: Noun Having the idea to sell land is one thing, but actually selling it is another, as city officials comb through records searching for any possible hang-ups to selling city property. — Neal Earley, Arkansas Online, 30 Aug. 2021 There would be some hang-ups, and estimating how much a fully municipal program would cost is difficult, Kelley said. — cleveland, 12 Aug. 2021 This will lead you onto Steep Hill, which is home to Lincoln’s vibrant independent shops, cafes and ice cream hang-outs. — Angelina Villa-clarke, Forbes, 21 June 2021 Episodes focused on lighter fare like Lamar's candy obsession and brother Rob Kardashian's hang-outs, plus heavier topics including Lamar's strained relationship with his father and waning NBA career prospects. — Kate Hogan, PEOPLE.com, 10 June 2021 Many that reopened relatively recently are getting the hang of new procedures and simply getting used to being busy again, after a too-quiet year-plus of the pandemic. — Carol Deptolla, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 17 June 2021 And yet American hang-ups about gender have effectively killed the idea in a mainstream way, siloing pleated minis and swooshing maxis to the womenswear section. — Steff Yotka, Vogue, 13 July 2021 To truly make donating easy, remove any unnecessary hang-ups — try to have the entire process on just one page. — Robin Ganzert, Forbes, 29 June 2021 There's a learning curve for piloting the vessels, but even landlubbers can quickly get the hang of it. — Paul Brady, Travel + Leisure, 26 June 2021

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'hang.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

History and Etymology for hang

Verb and Noun

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

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