dangle

[ dang-guhl ]

/ ˈdæŋ gəl /

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See synonyms for: dangle / dangling on Thesaurus.com

verb (used without object), dan·gled, dan·gling.

to hang loosely, especially with a jerking or swaying motion: The rope dangled in the breeze.

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

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.

to cause to dangle; hold or carry swaying loosely.

to offer as an inducement.

noun

the act of dangling.

something that dangles.

OTHER WORDS FOR dangle

1 swing, sway, flap.

See synonyms for dangle on Thesaurus.com

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His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

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Idioms about dangle

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

Origin of dangle

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

OTHER WORDS FROM dangle

dangler, noundan·gling·ly, adverb

Words nearby dangle

Danger Cave, danger man, danger money, dangerous, dangerous offender, dangle, dangleberry, dangling participle, Dani, Dania, Daniel

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use dangle in a sentence

At the central port, cranes dangle in disuse and buildings open to the sky.
‘Argo’ in the Congo: The Ghosts of the Stanleyville Hostage Crisis|Nina Strochlic|November 23, 2014|DAILY BEAST
He said the Taliban typically dangle peace talks as a time-buying tactic, and “believe they will win on the battleground.”
Afghanistan: Building a Vision Of Hope and Change|Lloyd Grove|April 17, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Decorative silk tassels dangle from the fingers of disembodied hands reaching through the walls.
Interactive Play ‘Queen of the Night’ Opens at Restored Diamond Horseshoe Club|Brian Spitulnik|December 31, 2013|DAILY BEAST
Dangle mere feet from one of these behemoths to feel very small indeed.
It’s a Big, Big World: Sights That Make You Feel Small|Lonely Planet|December 24, 2013|DAILY BEAST

Way to let the wife dangle way out there on a limb for you, man.
Weiner’s Sexting Matters; He’s Running For Mayor|Michelle Cottle|July 24, 2013|DAILY BEAST
You have learnt to sit behind the stove like an old crone, and to dangle at the apronstrings of the women.
Skipper Worse|Alexander Lange Kielland
The devil especially loves to dangle his tail in the affairs of poor desolate women, and to this Caroline has come.
The Petty Troubles of Married Life, Complete|Honore de Balzac
He sits shambling in the saddle, his smock and tall boots dangle on his bony figure.
The History of Modern Painting, Volume 1 (of 4)|Richard Muther
A tangled wisp of unkempt sandy hair never failed to dangle below the curtain of the sun-bonnet on the back of her neck.
Belford's Magazine, Vol. II, No. 3, February 1889|Various
Every few steps some man would sink into the ice-pack up to his waist and his legs would dangle in slush without finding bottom.
Historic Adventures|Rupert S. Holland

British Dictionary definitions for dangle

dangle

/ (ˈdæŋɡəl) /

verb

to hang or cause to hang freelyhis legs dangled over the wall

(tr) to display as an enticementthe hope of a legacy was dangled before her

noun

the act of dangling or something that dangles

Derived forms of dangle

dangler, noundanglingly, adverb

Word Origin for dangle

C16: perhaps from Danish dangle, probably of imitative origin

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

dangle

OTHER WORDS FOR dangle

Idioms about dangle

Origin of dangle

OTHER WORDS FROM dangle

Words nearby dangle

Words related to dangle

How to use dangle in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for dangle

Derived forms of dangle

Word Origin for dangle