hangout

1 of 2

noun

hang·​out ˈhaŋ-ˌau̇t How to pronounce hangout (audio)
: a favorite place for spending time
also : a place frequented for entertainment or for socializing

hang out

2 of 2

verb

hung out; hanging out; hangs out
1
intransitive : to protrude and droop
a dog with its tongue hanging out
2
intransitive informal : to spend time idly or in relaxing or socializing
just hanging out by the pool
My mother told me not to hang out in bars because the sort of people I would meet there were the sort of people who hang out in bars.Calvin Trillin
Traditionally, most owners [of sports teams] are rich egomaniacs eager to hang out with athletes and get their names in the paper.George Vecsey
3
transitive : to display (something) outside as an announcement to the public
hang out a sign/banner
used chiefly in the phrase hang out a/one's shingle in the figurative sense "to start a business, begin working professionally"
Publishing was not as complicated a business … when young Alfred Knopf hung out his shingle nearly 70 years ago.John F. Baker
Back then big L.A. law firms rarely hired Jews … . So Sterling hung out a shingle in Boyle Heights and became a tireless advocate for his old neighbors, handling everything from divorces to personal injury cases.Franz Lidz

Examples of hangout in a Sentence

Noun The park was their favorite hangout. a favorite hangout of senior citizens is the local community center
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.
Noun
Notably, parking lots are not among the animal's typical hangouts — but Leggio's, where Cerase spotted the scurrying stoat, is located near a stream, according to WNEP. Bailey Richards, People.com, 9 Mar. 2025 Dining The hotel’s all-day dining destination, Ajax Downtown (sister restaurant of Ajax Tavern in Aspen), is a lively hangout for locals and visitors alike. Elizabeth Brownfield, Forbes, 1 Mar. 2025
Verb
Want to hang out with George and Amal Clooney on Italy’s Lake Como and be pampered to the hilt, all for a good cause? Nick Vivarelli For Variety, Robb Report, 13 Mar. 2025 Look at how Apple encourages people to hang out in their stores, or how Parkrun creates a social atmosphere after runs (adding depth to the leaderboard). Jodie Cook, Forbes, 13 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for hangout

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

circa 1893, in the meaning defined above

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of hangout was in the 14th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Hangout.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hangout. Accessed 16 Mar. 2025.

Kids Definition

hangout

noun
hang·​out ˈhaŋ-ˌau̇t How to pronounce hangout (audio)
: a favorite place for spending time

More from Merriam-Webster on hangout

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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