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
Old Magazines and Newspapers Set the mood for guests who are hanging around the living room by finally recycling, donating, or archiving your spring and summer magazines or any outdated newspapers.
—Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 7 Nov. 2025
Anyone who buys groceries knows that higher prices have hung around just like that last guest who won't go home after a party.
—Susan Tompor, Freep.com, 6 Nov. 2025
The set didn’t start until ten o’clock, so Nat was still hanging around as Nina and I were heading out for a bite nearby.
—James Marcus, New Yorker, 3 Nov. 2025
Purdue ran only one play in the fourth quarter with a chance to take the lead, but the Boilermakers hung around long enough to make Michigan uncomfortable.
—Austin Meek, New York Times, 2 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for hang around
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Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 7 Nov. 2025
Anyone who buys groceries knows that higher prices have hung around just like that last guest who won't go home after a party.
—Susan Tompor, Freep.com, 6 Nov. 2025
The set didn’t start until ten o’clock, so Nat was still hanging around as Nina and I were heading out for a bite nearby.
—James Marcus, New Yorker, 3 Nov. 2025
Purdue ran only one play in the fourth quarter with a chance to take the lead, but the Boilermakers hung around long enough to make Michigan uncomfortable.
—Austin Meek, New York Times, 2 Nov. 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 9 Nov. 2025.
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