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
2
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
When 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

Examples of hang around in a Sentence

if you hang around until my husband gets home, you can meet him
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
After beating the San Diego Padres 3-2, Miami’s ace hung around with his two children inside the Marlins’ clubhouse, introducing the three-month-old daughter on his hip to teammates as loud, Latin music blared overhead. Cameron Priester, Sun Sentinel, 24 July 2025 Those guards hanging around the entrance to the nest site will attack with much less provocation, often flying out to sting someone who happens to walk within 10 feet or so. Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 19 July 2025 The Cubs have owned at least a share of first place since April 4, but despite their stellar first half, the Brewers — the division winner in three of the last four years — are hanging around. Meghan Montemurro, Chicago Tribune, 18 July 2025 Yet OpenAI reps have hung around film festivals and made entrées to filmmakers and studios, while Sora, the company’s video tool, has been used for a host of films from interesting artists. Steven Zeitchik, HollywoodReporter, 16 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for hang around

Word History

First Known Use

1823, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Time Traveler
The first known use of hang around was in 1823

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Hang around.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hang%20around. Accessed 30 Jul. 2025.

Kids Definition

hang around

verb
informal
: to pass time or stay idly in or at
hung around the house all day
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!