dangles; dangled; dangling
1
: to hang down loosely especially in a way that makes it possible to swing freely
Let your arms dangle at your sides.
dangling earrings
—often + fromDiamonds and pearls dangled from her ears.
Wires were dangling dangerously from the ceiling.
A cigarette dangled from his lips.
She sat on the edge of the pool, dangling her feet in the water.
He dangled a piece of string in front of the cat.
2
informal
: to offer (something) in order to persuade someone to do something
The money she dangled in front of him wasn't enough to convince him to sell.
They refused to accept the money that was dangled before their eyes.
Cite this Entry
“Dangle.” Merriam-Webster.com Simple Definition, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/simple/dangle. Accessed 16 Apr. 2026.
Copy Citation
