hang around
verb
hung around; hanging around; hangs around
1
intransitive,
informal
a
: to pass time idly or in relaxing or socializing
spent the day just hanging around with her friends
b
: to stay in or at a place for a period of time
had to hang around for over an hour, waiting for the bus
She didn't feel like hanging around at the club afterward …—
David Calder
David Calder2
transitive
informal
: to pass time or stay in or at (a place) or in the company of (someone)
hung around the house all day
My mother doesn't want me hanging around the park alone.—Judy Blume
Judy BlumeWhen he was 10 years old, Lester taught him-self to windsurf by hanging around the Europeans and Canadian tourists who rented boards on the beach at Varadero.—Sam Moses
Sam MosesExamples of hang around in a Sentence
if you hang around until my husband gets home, you can meet him
Recent Examples on the Web
Many players on the Queen City’s NBA team were hanging around while NBA Draft prospects worked out.
—Shane Connuck, Charlotte Observer, 27 June 2025
Two tourists visiting London for the first time hang around just because an excited-looking crowd has gathered.
—Issy Ronald, CNN Money, 27 June 2025
Gillis’ Netflix comedy Tires premiered its second season earlier this month; as of the latest available data from the streamer, the show is still hanging around in the top 10.
—Tony Maglio, HollywoodReporter, 24 June 2025
From casual summer hangs around the campfire and high-alpine adventures to frosty backcountry ski days, the Trail Mix Cap does it all.
—Drew Zieff, Outside Online, 11 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for hang around
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Shane Connuck, Charlotte Observer, 27 June 2025
Two tourists visiting London for the first time hang around just because an excited-looking crowd has gathered.
—Issy Ronald, CNN Money, 27 June 2025
Gillis’ Netflix comedy Tires premiered its second season earlier this month; as of the latest available data from the streamer, the show is still hanging around in the top 10.
—Tony Maglio, HollywoodReporter, 24 June 2025
From casual summer hangs around the campfire and high-alpine adventures to frosty backcountry ski days, the Trail Mix Cap does it all.
—Drew Zieff, Outside Online, 11 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for hang around
Cite this Entry
“Hang around.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hang%20around. Accessed 4 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share