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

Then rinse out the sponge and hang it (or stand it up) to air-dry over night. — Chloe Metzger, Marie Claire, "How to Use a Konjac Sponge for Your Best Skin Ever," 22 Oct. 2018 Scott's death came a few months after comedy icon Robin Williams hanged himself with a belt in his home in August 2014. — Fox News, "Kate Spade is the latest star to be found hanged, highlighting what may be a distrubing trend," 2 Oct. 2018 However, the newfound attention and pseudo-bodyguard didn't phase Markle, who still loved to hang and work with her Suits pals. — D. Elizabeth, Glamour, "Meghan Markle Had Her Own British Secret Service Agent on the Suits Set," 6 Sep. 2018 Both are wall-hanging systems made with steel, but the upgraded Décor line has the addition of wood shelves and other deluxe options for a more stylish look. — Brittney Morgan, House Beautiful, "The Container Store's Launching A Whole New Way to Snag a Custom Closet," 21 Mar. 2019 Kavanaugh's past positions on presidential power may become a focus as special counsel Robert Mueller's ongoing Russia investigation hangs over the presidency. — CBS News, "Brett Kavanaugh's views on presidential power could become focus with ongoing Russia probe," 10 July 2018 Consider hanging a red tulip wreath on your front door, as well. — Madison Alcedo, Country Living, "The Real Meaning Behind the Colors of Easter," 8 Mar. 2019 Bryce takes a bullet and everything’s hanging by a thread. — Nina Metz, chicagotribune.com, "‘Claws’ Episode 5 recap: 5 things to know about ‘Vaginalologist’ and the good doctor’s betrayal," 9 July 2018 By Thursday, there were only a few finishing details left, like hanging the door and putting in the stove, Hinds said. — Devin Kelly, Anchorage Daily News, "A new hut with dramatic views rose up this summer in Alaska’s Hatcher Pass backcountry," 8 July 2018

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

Microsoft's own telemetry showed that many users did give Edge a chance, but as soon as a problem was encountered—a crash, a hang, or perhaps a page that didn't work right—they'd switch to Chrome and never really look back. — Peter Bright, Ars Technica, "Edge dies a death of a thousand cuts as Microsoft switches to Chromium," 6 Dec. 2018 But the kids generally got the hang of it fairly quickly, usually after a few fistfuls of throttle that instilled a healthy respect for the bike's power. — Ezra Dyer, Popular Mechanics, "Why the Honda CRF50F Is the Quintessential Starter Dirt Bike," 28 Nov. 2018 In the midst of all these cute lovey-dovey hangs, a new bae entered the picture. — Carolyn Twersky, Seventeen, "A Complete Relationship Timeline of Kendall Jenner and Ben Simmons," 23 July 2018 When times are good, visions of $150 to $200 oil hang over the bar at the Petroleum Club. — Houston Chronicle, "Competition for top talent keeps pay scale high in oil industry," 13 July 2018 There's one silhouette that works across all summertime activities—summer Fridays at work, picnics, rooftop hangs, beach trips—and that's the wrap dress. — Ana Colon, Glamour, "Visit Other Condé Nast Sites," 1 June 2018 The cut-outs expose the wall on which the painting hangs, but slow perusal begins to reveal vaporous flickers of pale color within the neat lineup of empty spaces. — Christopher Knight, latimes.com, "Jim DeFrance retrospective at Doyle Arts Pavilion is a dazzler," 24 Feb. 2018 Roll up the sleeves of a blazer and let those of your white button-down hang longer for a cooler take on this 9-to-5 formula. — Glamour, "How to Wear a White Shirt Like a Fashion Person," 26 Mar. 2019 Their last hang-out with the Queen saw the Obamas travel to Windsor Castle in 2016, where the monarch and Prince Philip personally picked the couple up in their car. — Lucy Wood, Marie Claire, "The Queen Herself Told Michelle Obama That Royal Protocol Is "All Rubbish"," 4 Dec. 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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