hang

verb

\ 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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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

Of course, the earrings hung perfectly below her pulled back hair. — Alyssa Hardy, Teen Vogue, "Yara Shahidi Wore 3 Outfits in 1 Day and I Need to Talk About Them," 3 Jan. 2019 The bicycles, hanging laundry, antique walls, and tiles showcase Old Shanghai, but the shops highlight a different world—everything from traditional housewares to modern gifts and everything in between. — Todd Plummer, Harper's BAZAAR, "How to Do Shanghai in 12 Hours or Less," 14 Dec. 2018 There's even a lamp post, which is perfect for hanging a string of fairy lights in your teeny town. — Jessica Leigh Mattern, Country Living, "This Rustic Galvanized Christmas Village Is Going to Be the Year's Hottest Holiday Collectible," 5 Dec. 2018 But so far, my tiny hang-up is the only real downside to our new joint-account life. — Casey Newton, The Verge, "Facebook should help us understand the link between political speech and violence," 23 Aug. 2018 That’s kind of low hanging fruit and low dollar volume. — Joseph N. Distefano, Philly.com, "Team Sports Planet: an Internet pioneer faces Amazon, private equity," 9 July 2018 In October, the hanging death of Dayne Jones, the son of a prominent Ferguson, Missouri, activist, fueled accusations that the young man was lynched, though local police have disputed that characterization of the crime. — P.r. Lockhart, Vox, "By passing the Justice for Victims of Lynching Act this week, the Senate acknowledged its role in decades of racial terrorism.," 21 Dec. 2018 After all, some guests like their dark clothes separated from lights; some want their hanging wears to be arranged by length; some want to have their cosmetics arranged by height. — Jessica Flint, WSJ, "The Seattle Hotel Playbook," 3 Dec. 2018 The Green Pastures property is huge, with low-hanging oak trees surrounding the circa-1893 farmhouse. — Maggie Burch, House Beautiful, "This Sprawling House In Texas Now Houses A Gorgeous Restaurant," 20 Nov. 2018

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

Life-like toy soldiers line the perimeter, poinsettias add a pop of color, and cedar hangs from wall-to-wall for a truly magical Christmas experience. — Kara Thompson, Town & Country, "T&C Travel Guide: Winter In Cape May, New Jersey," 10 Dec. 2018 Unfortunately, during this particular rooftop hang, Jake and a classmate were mistaken for burglars. — Clay Skipper, GQ, "Jake Johnson Is Just Here For a Good Time," 14 June 2018 The concept is like powerlifting for your fingers, with hangs rarely surpassing 30 seconds and the entire workout lasting 10 to 20 minutes. — Jen Murphy, WSJ, "Forget Your Washboard Abs, the Hottest Workout Is for Your Fingers," 28 Nov. 2018 The dinner was held at Oswald’s, Robin Birley’s sublimely elegant new club (named for his grandfather, the famed portraitist, whose self-portrait hangs above the Louis Quinze welcome desk). — Hamish Bowles, Vogue, "Gareth Pugh Brings Back Vogueing in Grand Style," 16 Sep. 2018 Brands such as Mandarin Oriental, St. Regis, and Ritz-Carlton dot the landscape, joined by motivated independents like Stonehurst Place, where original Warhols hang above 19th-century fireplaces. — Allison Weiss Entrekin, Condé Nast Traveler, "14 Best Hotels in Atlanta," 27 July 2018 Add to the mix that England lost to Croatia in the World Cup semi-finals on Wednesday night, and the nation was suffering from a collective hang-over, and not the good kind. — William Booth And Karla Adam, Washington Post, "‘I think they like me a lot in the U.K.,’ Trump says, as he faces mass protests in Britain," 12 July 2018 Image Pieces by the pioneering graffiti writers Stay High 149 and Staff 161 hang with a John Ahearn sculpture and a drawing by Jane Dickson of Colab, an ’80s collective with a kindred scrappy aesthetic. — Brett Sokol, New York Times, "Lee Quiñones Brings Street Art to His Living Room," 10 July 2018 Two weeks ago, Duncan invited Parker to his ranch outside of San Antonio for a hang. — Jeff Mcdonald, San Antonio Express-News, "Parker leaves San Antonio with emotion, but no regrets," 7 July 2018

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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