hangout

1 of 2

noun

hang·​out ˈhaŋ-ˌau̇t 

: a favorite place for spending time

also : a place frequented for entertainment or for socializing

hang out

2 of 2

verb

hung out; hanging out; hangs out

1

intransitive : to protrude and droop

a dog with its tongue hanging out

2

intransitive informal : to spend time idly or in relaxing or socializing

just hanging out by the pool

My mother told me not to hang out in bars because the sort of people I would meet there were the sort of people who hang out in bars.

—Calvin Trillin

Traditionally, most owners [of sports teams] are rich egomaniacs eager to hang out with athletes and get their names in the paper.

—George Vecsey

3

transitive : to display (something) outside as an announcement to the public

hang out a sign/banner

—used chiefly in the phrase hang out a/one's shingle in the figurative sense "to start a business, begin working professionally"

Publishing was not as complicated a business … when young Alfred Knopf hung out his shingle nearly 70 years ago.

—John F. Baker

Back then big L.A. law firms rarely hired Jews … . So Sterling hung out a shingle in Boyle Heights and became a tireless advocate for his old neighbors, handling everything from divorces to personal injury cases.

—Franz Lidz

Synonyms of hangout

Noun

• haunt

Examples of hangout in a Sentence

Noun

The park was their favorite hangout.

a favorite hangout of senior citizens is the local community center

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

For Muslims, many of whom eschew alcohol, and for anyone seeking liquor-free or family-friendly social options, the cafes are hospitable hangouts and a late-night alternative to nighttime clubbing. —Marc Ramirez, USA Today, 14 Feb. 2026

Longtime Meridian Speedway announcer Brent Arte expects to celebrate the opening of his new downtown hangout, Pit Stop Sports Bar and Grill, within weeks. —Michael Deeds, Idaho Statesman, 13 Feb. 2026

Verb

Pet stations and small lawns for playing are located on both the north and south ends of the resort, and dogs can always hang out on the pool deck (but can’t swim) or at the private beach. —Tara Massouleh McCay, Southern Living, 16 Feb. 2026

Visitors can explore the exhibits and hang out on the rooftop where there will be a bar and food served by Wolf in the Woods. —Abby Hamblin, San Diego Union-Tribune, 16 Feb. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

circa 1893, in the meaning defined above

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for hangout

• about
• bailout
• blackout
• blowout
• breakout
• burnout
• buyout
• checkout
• closeout
• cutout
• devout
• dropout

Kids Definition

hangout

noun

hang·​out ˈhaŋ-ˌau̇t 

: a favorite place for spending time