dangle

[ dang-guhl ]

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.

   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)

, 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.

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

Derived Forms

• ˈdangler, noun
• ˈdanglingly, adverb

Other Words From

• dangler noun
• dangling·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of dangle¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of dangle¹

C16: perhaps from Danish dangle, probably of imitative origin

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

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

Example Sentences

At the central port, cranes dangle in disuse and buildings open to the sky.

From The Daily Beast

He said the Taliban typically dangle peace talks as a time-buying tactic, and “believe they will win on the battleground.”

From The Daily Beast

Decorative silk tassels dangle from the fingers of disembodied hands reaching through the walls.

From The Daily Beast

Dangle mere feet from one of these behemoths to feel very small indeed.

From The Daily Beast

Way to let the wife dangle way out there on a limb for you, man.

From The Daily Beast

You have learnt to sit behind the stove like an old crone, and to dangle at the apronstrings of the women.

From Project Gutenberg

The devil especially loves to dangle his tail in the affairs of poor desolate women, and to this Caroline has come.

From Project Gutenberg

He sits shambling in the saddle, his smock and tall boots dangle on his bony figure.

From Project Gutenberg

A tangled wisp of unkempt sandy hair never failed to dangle below the curtain of the sun-bonnet on the back of her neck.

From Project Gutenberg

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.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

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