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.

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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

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noun

1. the act of dangling or something that dangles

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• dangler
  noun
• danglingly
  adverb

Inflected Forms

Participles

• dangling
  present
• dangled
  past

Conjugated Forms

Present

• dangle
  simple
• dangles
  simple
• have dangled
  perfect
• has dangled
  perfect
• am dangling
  progressive
• are dangling
  progressive
• is dangling
  progressive
• have been dangling
  perfect progressive
• has been dangling
  perfect progressive

Past

• dangled
  simple
• had dangled
  perfect
• was dangling
  progressive
• were dangling
  progressive
• had been dangling
  perfect progressive

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!"

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

dangle dangles dangled dangling

The piece’s hero image is Waters, sitting on a couch with what appears to be a toddler while, blurred in the foreground, a pair of baby feet dangle into the frame.

From Salon ● Jul. 27, 2026

In the dining room, vintage Doyle Lane ceramic beads dangle from a Mission-style wooden clock while designer handbags are draped over chairs and hat racks.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 27, 2026

It makes no logical sense to lower the retirement age and then dangle a new benefit to encourage employees to work longer.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 16, 2026

Talley’s suncatchers dangle in the air and catch the light, an homage to algae’s most impactful contribution: producing over half of the world’s oxygen, which they do using energy from the sun.

From Slate ● Jun. 27, 2026

If it makes you uncomfortable— He stopped me, wagged a finger, then hooked his glasses off his nose, letting them dangle on' the string around his neck.

From "Tuesdays with Morrie" by Mitch Albom

A coyote is bathed in red light; a cougar stalks near a grand piano; a man stands in a tropical jungle surrounded by mist; a pay phone off the hook dangles by its cord.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 14, 2026

My free hand dangles close enough to touch the sand.

From Salon ● Aug. 11, 2026

It recently revamped its program, introducing a three-tier structure that offers ways to earn points faster, but also dangles exclusive merchandise and curated experiences for its top-tier members.

From Barron's ● Feb. 26, 2026

A massive glass chandelier dangles from the ceiling.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 9, 2025

Her lapis lazuli pendant dangles from her neck.

From "The Sky at Our Feet" by Nadia Hashimi

That’s because it wasn’t—at least not until Kushner dangled a historic sum of money.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 13, 2026

Several members equipped with climbing harnesses clambered up a small tree on the school’s front lawn and dangled from its limbs on climbing ropes.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 19, 2026

Sanchez also dangled the prospect of a massive port deal for American investors -- one that would rival a Chinese port concession at Chancay north of Lima that has long irked the White House.

From Barron's ● Jun. 5, 2026

If one looks back on fairly recent American history, Richard Nixon dangled pardons in front of the various Watergate conspirators, directly and indirectly.

From Slate ● Apr. 16, 2026

She was launching into a minute-by-minute account of Zusje’s final day when her eyes lit on the peg from which dangled Nollie’s new hat.

From "The Hiding Place" by Corrie ten Boom

Their surfaces do not contain dangling bonds, which makes it difficult to grow an extremely thin dielectric film evenly across them.

From Science Daily ● Aug. 9, 2026

There’d be supporting towers on park property, with cables dangling overhead, and a gondola station just outside the park.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 1, 2026

Merz's intention to sack Schnieder leaked last week but the minister was left dangling in the post after Merz's initial pick for his replacement pulled out.

From Barron's ● Jul. 29, 2026

Wizened and creased, with a hoop the size of a quarter dangling in his left ear, he relies on gestures—shrugs, grimaces, guffaws—to flesh out responses that lean terse.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 6, 2026

I aimed for a broken branch that was dangling from a tree about fifty paces away.

From "The Detective's Assistant" by Kate Hannigan

Related Words

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