dangle
Americanverb (used without object)
-
dangles,
present (3rd person singular)
-
dangled,
past participle, past
-
dangling
present participle
-
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)
-
dangles,
present (3rd person singular)
-
dangled,
past participle, past
-
dangling
present participle
-
to cause to dangle; hold or carry swaying loosely.
-
to offer as an inducement.
noun
-
the act of dangling.
-
something that dangles.
idioms
verb
-
to hang or cause to hang freely
his legs dangled over the wall
-
(tr) to display as an enticement
the hope of a legacy was dangled before her
noun
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Participles
Conjugated Forms
Present
-
danglesimple
-
danglessimple
-
have dangledperfect
-
has dangledperfect
-
am danglingprogressive
-
are danglingprogressive
-
is danglingprogressive
-
have been danglingperfect progressive
-
has been danglingperfect progressive
Past
-
dangledsimple
-
had dangledperfect
-
was danglingprogressive
-
were danglingprogressive
-
had been danglingperfect progressive
Future
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!"
Vocabulary lists containing dangle
Keystone Exams: English Composition Glossary
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
"Lob's Girl" by Joan Aiken
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
The Circuit
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
If they sense you’re a bored retiree, they will dangle the allure of giving your life renewed purpose.
From MarketWatch ● Sep. 25, 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
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
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
She studies me as I dangle, her eyes as dark as mahogany.
From "Challenger Deep" by Neal Shusterman
A camera strap dangles off George Rodriguez’s shoulder as he glances around the gallery in search of his favorite image.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 9, 2026
My free hand dangles close enough to touch the sand.
From Salon ● Aug. 11, 2026
She has gathered nature-inspired artworks in “Slow Looking” to draw us in and get us to look for longer, though she dangles the rewards at a distance: “The beauty will not automatically reveal itself.”
From The Wall Street Journal ● Mar. 6, 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
Her lapis lazuli pendant dangles from her neck.
From "The Sky at Our Feet" by Nadia Hashimi
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
Lendeborg told The Associated Press that the University of Kentucky had dangled between US$7 million and $9 million to entice him to transfer there in 2025.
From Salon ● Apr. 5, 2026
A whistle dangled from her neck; she brought it to her lips, inhaling mightily.
From "The Last Last-Day-of-Summer" by Lamar Giles
It’s also compounding an unprecedented poaching spree of top performers across the top law firms, with competitors dangling lucrative compensation packages and senior positions and sometimes hiring away entire teams.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 19, 2026
It incentivized competition in part by dangling more than $500,000 in prize money for each player on the winning team.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 12, 2026
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
Footage from inside showed rescue workers in orange overalls and white helmets picking their way through a mass of twisted steel, dangling cables and chunks of ceiling.
From Barron's ● Jul. 30, 2026
His dangling feet hit Mom’s legs as she walked.
From "Caterpillar Summer" by Gillian McDunn
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
