pendulous

adjective

pen·​du·​lous ˈpen-jə-ləs 

ˈpen-dyə-,

-də-

1

archaic : poised without visible support

2

a

: suspended so as to swing freely

branches hung with pendulous vines

b

: inclined or hanging downward

pendulous jowls

3

: marked by vacillation, indecision, or uncertainty

pendulousness noun

Synonyms

• nodding
• bowing
• bowed
• weeping
• hanging

Examples of pendulous in a Sentence

a cow with a pendulous udder

a pendulous crystal chandelier dominated the ballroom

Recent Examples on the Web

Some azaleas lend themselves to growing in hanging baskets, including Belgian and Satsuki hybrids such as ‘Flame Creeper’ and ‘Pink Cascade’, which have a naturally pendulous habit. —Luke Miller, Better Homes & Gardens, 7 July 2025

The path itself was so overgrown and wove through the pendulous pink blossoms. —Literary Hub, 26 June 2025

Hassan’s early scenes have a quiet, hypnotic quality, an effect intensified by the pendulous motion of the actors’ skating back and forth. —Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 3 June 2025

The stems of angel-wing, dragon-wing, and tuberous begonias bow down under the weight of the pendulous flowers. —Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 4 Apr. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Latin pendulus, from pendēre to hang

First Known Use

circa 1605, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

pendulous

adjective

pen·​du·​lous ˈpen-jə-ləs 

1

: hanging so as to swing freely

2

: hanging downward

pendulously adverb

Medical Definition

pendulous

adjective

pen·​du·​lous -ləs 

: inclined or hanging downward