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
This is not Mass Effect’s do one big mission, go on one hangout type stuff. Paul Tassi, Forbes, 28 Oct. 2024 Tickets are sold out, but fans can find seats on Stubhub for about $300 after fees, or hangout in Gallagher Square for $200. Kate Murphy, Axios, 9 Oct. 2024
Verb
Over the next ten days or so, Sonny and I hung out and became friends. Cher, Vulture, 19 Nov. 2024 The tight end hung out in the VIP tent with Swift's mom Andrea during the show, dancing with her, which fans captured on video and shared on social media. Hedy Phillips, People.com, 5 Nov. 2024 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

Dictionary Entries Near hangout

Cite this Entry

“Hangout.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hangout. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.

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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