hang·out
ˈhaŋ-ˌau̇t 
: a favorite place for spending time
also
: a place frequented for entertainment or for socializing
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
Calvin TrillinTraditionally, most owners [of sports teams] are rich egomaniacs eager to hang out with athletes and get their names in the paper.—George Vecsey
George Vecsey3
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
John F. BakerBack 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
Franz Lidz
Synonyms
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 WebAnna Deavere Smith, The Atlantic, 13 Nov. 2023
Though the sale and import of alcohol was banned from 1920 to 1933, booze was still flowing freely across taverns and gangster hangouts in rural Wisconsin, where even mobster Al Capone had a refuge.
—Emily Heil, Washington Post, 30 Oct. 2023
The Shores’ Big Bang happened in 1926, when Frederick William Kellogg launched a $900,000 plan to dig a harbor, build two breakwaters and create an exclusive hangout for the sailing set.
—San Diego Union-Tribune, 2 Oct. 2023
Georgia At Manuel’s Tavern, a historic hangout in Atlanta’s Poncey-Highland district, the barroom screens were on mute as the president addressed the nation.
—Jack Healy, New York Times, 21 Oct. 2023
Grant remembers getting his hair cut as a teenager at a shop on Benning Road NE, then crossing the street for chicken and mumbo sauce at Wings & More Wings, which would become his afternoon hangout.
—Tim Carman, Washington Post, 12 Oct. 2023
The online platform is filled with free games, experiences, and social hangouts that are designed and built by its users.
—Michael Calore, WIRED, 8 Sep. 2023
Known as the Blue Building, its 6,800-square-foot ground floor had become a favorite hangout for musicians from the New York Philharmonic and the Metropolitan Opera, who often come for intimate practice sessions or low-key get-togethers.
—Rachel Nuwer, New York Times, 7 Oct. 2023
Perhaps Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds are simply saving all of their slay outfits for their hangouts with Taylor Swift.
—Kathleen Walsh, Glamour, 20 Sep. 2023
Steve Galluzzo, Los Angeles Times, 14 Nov. 2023
Later that month, People noted, Sánchez and Bezos hung out in Croatia with celebs including Katy Perry, Orlando Bloom, and Usher.
—Tori Latham, Robb Report, 13 Nov. 2023
There were plenty of famous people and celebrities hanging out all weekend, live music on Pickleball Boulevard, and a festive atmosphere.
—Todd Boss, Forbes, 13 Nov. 2023
If the strike had gone on, Chalamet would’ve appeared with a chocolate-making proverbial elephant hanging out in the room.
—Esther Zuckerman, The Atlantic, 12 Nov. 2023
The two made plans to hang out that upcoming weekend with family.
—Keith L. Alexander, Washington Post, 11 Nov. 2023
Three men hanging out in a Washington garage fought off a pair of armed robbers who barged in and stuck a rifle in their faces, wild home security video shows.
—Michael Ruiz, Fox News, 9 Nov. 2023
While Patrick took the field overseas, Brittany hung out with her new friend, Taylor Swift, and some other girlfriends and wives from the team.
—Angela Andaloro, Peoplemag, 8 Nov. 2023
Swift was photographed hanging out with her new beau, along with his teammate Mecole Hardman Jr. and Hardman Jr.'s girlfriend Chariah Gordon at a post-game party.
—Natasha Dye, Peoplemag, 3 Nov. 2023
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Noun
Maryland was in the Union, but this club became a hangout for Confederate sympathizers.
—Anna Deavere Smith, The Atlantic, 13 Nov. 2023
Though the sale and import of alcohol was banned from 1920 to 1933, booze was still flowing freely across taverns and gangster hangouts in rural Wisconsin, where even mobster Al Capone had a refuge.
—Emily Heil, Washington Post, 30 Oct. 2023
The Shores’ Big Bang happened in 1926, when Frederick William Kellogg launched a $900,000 plan to dig a harbor, build two breakwaters and create an exclusive hangout for the sailing set.
—San Diego Union-Tribune, 2 Oct. 2023
Georgia At Manuel’s Tavern, a historic hangout in Atlanta’s Poncey-Highland district, the barroom screens were on mute as the president addressed the nation.
—Jack Healy, New York Times, 21 Oct. 2023
Grant remembers getting his hair cut as a teenager at a shop on Benning Road NE, then crossing the street for chicken and mumbo sauce at Wings & More Wings, which would become his afternoon hangout.
—Tim Carman, Washington Post, 12 Oct. 2023
The online platform is filled with free games, experiences, and social hangouts that are designed and built by its users.
—Michael Calore, WIRED, 8 Sep. 2023
Known as the Blue Building, its 6,800-square-foot ground floor had become a favorite hangout for musicians from the New York Philharmonic and the Metropolitan Opera, who often come for intimate practice sessions or low-key get-togethers.
—Rachel Nuwer, New York Times, 7 Oct. 2023
Perhaps Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds are simply saving all of their slay outfits for their hangouts with Taylor Swift.
—Kathleen Walsh, Glamour, 20 Sep. 2023
Verb
The two hang out off the court as well — building Legos, going to Six Flags Magic Mountain or fueling up at their favorite eatery.
—Steve Galluzzo, Los Angeles Times, 14 Nov. 2023
Later that month, People noted, Sánchez and Bezos hung out in Croatia with celebs including Katy Perry, Orlando Bloom, and Usher.
—Tori Latham, Robb Report, 13 Nov. 2023
There were plenty of famous people and celebrities hanging out all weekend, live music on Pickleball Boulevard, and a festive atmosphere.
—Todd Boss, Forbes, 13 Nov. 2023
If the strike had gone on, Chalamet would’ve appeared with a chocolate-making proverbial elephant hanging out in the room.
—Esther Zuckerman, The Atlantic, 12 Nov. 2023
The two made plans to hang out that upcoming weekend with family.
—Keith L. Alexander, Washington Post, 11 Nov. 2023
Three men hanging out in a Washington garage fought off a pair of armed robbers who barged in and stuck a rifle in their faces, wild home security video shows.
—Michael Ruiz, Fox News, 9 Nov. 2023
While Patrick took the field overseas, Brittany hung out with her new friend, Taylor Swift, and some other girlfriends and wives from the team.
—Angela Andaloro, Peoplemag, 8 Nov. 2023
Swift was photographed hanging out with her new beau, along with his teammate Mecole Hardman Jr. and Hardman Jr.'s girlfriend Chariah Gordon at a post-game party.
—Natasha Dye, Peoplemag, 3 Nov. 2023
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'hangout.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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Cite this Entry
“Hangout.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hangout. Accessed 1 Dec. 2023.
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Kids Definition
hangout
noun
hang·out
ˈhaŋ-ˌau̇t
: a favorite place for spending time
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