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.
Recruitment flyers featuring the words engraved on the bullet casings of the man who shot and killed Charlie Kirk were reportedly distributed and hung around Georgetown University‘s campus. Christopher Tremoglie, The Washington Examiner, 25 Sep. 2025 The risk that inflation hangs around is elevated since inflation expectations could be up, Adams said. Susan Tompor, USA Today, 24 Sep. 2025 Then, Wes shows up with Jules Zoblonsky (John Ales), our resident creep who hangs around the scene, who not only put his hand up another hostess’s skirt, but also drugged Anna’s drink the night of her assault, as later confirmed by security camera footage. Andy Andersen, Vulture, 18 Sep. 2025 Enlist the help of birds, frogs and cats Hanging a bird feeder near your door can help control the spider population, as birds will eat any bugs and spiders hanging around. Rachel Wegner, Nashville Tennessean, 17 Sep. 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 29 Sep. 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
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