dangle

[ dang-guhl ]
See synonyms for: dangledangling on Thesaurus.com

verb (used without object),dan·gled, dan·gling.
  1. to hang loosely, especially with a jerking or swaying motion: The rope dangled in the breeze.

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

  1. 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),dan·gled, dan·gling.
  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 about dangle

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

Origin of dangle

1
1580–90; expressive word akin to Norwegian, Swedish dangla,Danish dangle dangle

Other words for dangle

Other words from dangle

  • dangler, noun
  • dan·gling·ly, adverb

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use dangle in a sentence

  • "Yes, and got your full share of the proceeds, while I ran the risk," growled Dangler.

    The Rover Boys on the Farm | Arthur M. Winfield (AKA Edward Stratemeyer)
  • The man named Dangler followed the runabout to the road and watched it disappear around a turn bordered by trees.

    The Rover Boys on the Farm | Arthur M. Winfield (AKA Edward Stratemeyer)
  • Dangler watched the runabout and then gazed up and down the mountain for several minutes.

    The Rover Boys on the Farm | Arthur M. Winfield (AKA Edward Stratemeyer)
  • The others considered Sam's advice good, and after another look around for Dangler, they turned in the direction of home.

    The Rover Boys on the Farm | Arthur M. Winfield (AKA Edward Stratemeyer)
  • Another search was at once instituted for Bill Dangler, but the rascal was not captured.

    The Rover Boys on the Farm | Arthur M. Winfield (AKA Edward Stratemeyer)

British Dictionary definitions for dangle

dangle

/ (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

Origin of dangle

1
C16: perhaps from Danish dangle, probably of imitative origin

Derived forms of dangle

  • dangler, noun
  • danglingly, adverb

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012