hangs about

verb

present tense third-person singular of hang about, British
1
as in hangs (around or out)
to spend time doing nothing a tea house near campus where many university students could be seen hanging about

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in plays
to spend time in aimless activity we'll be hanging about at the pub if you need us

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of hangs about Though the sisters are supposedly first-generation Italian American, no whiff of the old country hangs about Kay; Dorothy will at least spit out a few words in Italian. — Television Critic, Los Angeles Times, 10 Mar. 2026 Turquoise pearl, and azure line the space, and a cylindrical hanging light sculpture made of hundreds of white and gold ceramic fish hangs about the lounge seating area. — Kristin Braswell, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 Jan. 2026 The hot air just hangs about, causing the dish to cook unevenly with some spots nearly raw and others burnt. — New Atlas, 4 Nov. 2025 Despite Dickens’ canonical reputation, the author of door-stoppers such as Oliver Twist and Nicholas Nickeleby, the stench of the entrepreneurial still hangs about him. — Literary Hub, 21 July 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hangs about
  1. kicks back
  2. plays
  3. rests
  4. messes around
  5. bums
  6. chills
Verb
  • Well … that’s where my skepticism kicks back in.
    — Emma Sarappo, The Atlantic, 12 June 2026
  • With their mandatory minicamp wrapping up on Thursday, the Chicago Bears get some time to rest before offseason programming kicks back into gear.
    — Jayna Bardahl, New York Times, 11 June 2026
Definition of kicks back
Verb
  • There is no doubt the quality of players that managers have available plays a massive part in how expressive their style becomes but as ideas go, Luis Enrique’s use of his wide players last season definitely set PSG apart.
    — Art de Roché, New York Times, 9 Sep. 2026
  • Propulsion capacity grows The PAC-3 MSE’s propulsion system plays a critical role during an engagement.
    — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 9 Sep. 2026
Definition of plays
Verb
  • The National Academy of Sciences in 2003, and the American Psychological Association in a 2004 review, concluded that the polygraph rests more on theater than fact.
    — Brian O'Neill, The Conversation, 10 Sep. 2026
  • The Ultra 4's entire value proposition rests on its battery life.
    — Andrew Gebhart, PC Magazine, 10 Sep. 2026
Definition of rests
Verb
  • Other standouts include a Maybelline mascara and a Black and Decker handheld vacuum, which makes quick work of small messes around the house and in the car.
    — Isabel Garcia, PEOPLE, 30 Jan. 2026
Definition of messes around
Verb
  • The joy Lisa has with her RHUGT cast compared with the dread her RHOSLC cast seems to bring her really bums me out — especially because of how much of this trip is championing the sisterhood of Housewives.
    — Tom Smyth, Vulture, 31 Aug. 2026
  • Critical thinking really bums them out.
    — Ed Masley, AZCentral.com, 13 Mar. 2026
Definition of bums
Verb
  • The use of rap lyrics as evidence in criminal trials is controversial, with critics saying the practice chills creative expression and allows prosecutors to distort hyperbolic art in ways that reinforce racist stereotypes.
    — Nancy Dillon, Rolling Stone, 24 Aug. 2026
  • Authorities say the case grew from overseas shipments flagged by customs, marking a third round of national security arrests that further chills Hong Kong’s already precarious independent book trade.
    — Kanis Leung, Los Angeles Times, 15 July 2026
Definition of chills

Browse Nearby Words

hangs
hangs about
hangs around
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Hangs about.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hangs%20about. Accessed 12 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of hobnob

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Why do we use apostrophes to show possession?

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Back to School Vocabulary

Words from the 'Odyssey'

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of
See More

Popular

See More

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Back to School Vocabulary
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
funny guinea pig in glasses reading a book
Challenging Words You Should Know Vol 2 Words to the wise
See All