dangle

American  

[dang-guhl] / ˈdæŋ gəl /

verb (used without object)

dangles, present (3rd person singular) dangled, past participle, past dangling present participle

1. to hang loosely, especially with a jerking or swaying motion.

   The rope dangled in the breeze.

   Synonyms:

   flap, sway, swing

2. to hang around or follow a person, as if seeking favor or attention.

3. Grammar. to occur as a modifier without a head or as a participle without an implied subject, as leaving the tunnel in The daylight was blinding, leaving the tunnel.

---

verb (used with object)

dangles, present (3rd person singular) dangled, past participle, past dangling present participle

1. to cause to dangle; hold or carry swaying loosely.

2. to offer as an inducement.

noun

1. the act of dangling.

2. something that dangles.

idioms

1. keep someone dangling, to keep someone in a state of uncertainty.

dangle British  

/ ˈdæŋɡəl /

verb

1. to hang or cause to hang freely

   his legs dangled over the wall

2. (tr) to display as an enticement

   the hope of a legacy was dangled before her

---

noun

1. the act of dangling or something that dangles

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• danglingly
  adverb
• dangler
  noun

Conjugated Forms

Present

• have dangled
  perfect
• has dangled
  perfect 3rd person singular
• am dangling
  progressive 1st person singular
• has been dangling
  perfect progressive 3rd person singular
• is dangling
  progressive 3rd person singular
• have been dangling
  perfect progressive
• dangling
  participle
• are dangling
  progressive
• dangles
  singular 3rd person

Past

• had dangled
  perfect
• had been dangling
  perfect progressive
• was dangling
  progressive singular
• were dangling
  progressive plural
• dangled
  simple
• dangled
  participle

Future

• will dangle
  simple
• will have dangled
  perfect
• will be dangling
  progressive
• will have been dangling
  perfect progressive

Etymology

Origin of dangle

1580–90; expressive word akin to Norwegian, Swedish dangla, Danish dangle dangle

Explanation

Dangle means to hang or swing loosely. If you dangle string above a kitten you will both be entertained. The verb dangle probably comes from a late 16th century Danish or Swedish word meaning “loose or pendulous,” though we don’t know for sure. You may have a taste for big, showy earrings that dangle. Or, you might even dangle a possibility — "If you were to dangle the prospect of dessert to a child, then you better follow through!"

Related Words

• droop
• flap
• hang
• sling
• sway
• swing