dangle

[dang-guhl]

verb (used without object)

dangled, dangling 

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)

dangled, dangling 

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

Other Word Forms

• dangler noun
• danglingly 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

Certain deep-sea fish had glowing fins, while others had glowing teeth, and still others had spindly glowing lures that dangled from their heads.

Read more on Literature

Emeralds the size of cough drops dangled from each piece.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

A miniature Harold Lloyd dangles from a pair of watch hands just as Doc will at the climax.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

They dangle enticing offers: free phone consultations, free information booklets, free sign-ups for free resources.

Read more on MarketWatch

Friedman is seeking to push them out of the case, alleging the firm had “run amok” and “dangled the prospect of lottery sized payouts” in front of clients without vetting them.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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