hang around

1. Keep company or consort with someone, as in The younger campers loved to hang around the older ones . [Mid-1800s] Also see hang out , def. 5.

2. Spend time idly, loiter, as in Every afternoon they could be found hanging around the mall . [Mid-1800s] Also see hang out , def. 4.

Example Sentences

I think 2014 was my big rock and roll year, and 2015 is gonna be a really good year to hang around the house.

From The Daily Beast

She was gonna be in New York and wanted to hang around for New Years and hopefully be able to stay long enough to meet our baby.

From The Daily Beast

A dad dressing up as a nanny to hang around his kids is rather odd.

From The Daily Beast

Plus, there are so many wonderful characters who hang around courthouses in small towns.

From The Daily Beast

But I do think these words will hang around her neck for a while.

From The Daily Beast

The hair of children, boys and girls alike, was allowed to grow long and hang around the neck and shoulders.

From Project Gutenberg

I let him hang around, because he was so doggone interested.

From Project Gutenberg

With five thousand dollars in your mitt, you wouldn't need to hang around here to take a lot of slurs.

From Project Gutenberg

It's the proper and sensible thing for you to take the Montana out tonight and let me hang around the pilot-house and watch you.

From Project Gutenberg

It isn't enough to tie up a mill, and then hang around on street-corners for two months, waiting for the other side to give in.

From Project Gutenberg

More About Hang Around

What does hang around mean?

Hang around means to lounge or linger or to spend time with someone.

If you are hanging around a place, you’re passing time there without doing much, as in My job as a mall security guard meant I spent most of my time hanging around the mall.

If you are hanging around another person, you are keeping them company, as in I like to hang around with my friends on the weekend.

Example: We spent most of our summer vacation hanging around the lake and relaxing.

Where does hang around come from?

The first records of hang around come from the mid-1800s. It combines the words hang, meaning “to attach to allow free movement,” and around, meaning “somewhere near or about.”

Sometimes, hang around implies that a person is unwelcome, is up to no good, or is a trespasser. For example, someone might say I saw some suspicious men hanging around the bank.

A similar negative sense is implied when a person uses hang around in reference to people or a group they don’t like, as in Son, I don’t want you hanging around those slick business types. You can’t trust them!

Did you know ... ?

What are some synonyms for hang around?

• loiter
• linger
• lounge
• hang out
• associate with
• fraternize with
• mingle

What are some words that share a root or word element with hang around? 

• hang
• around

What are some words that often get used in discussing hang around?

• idle
• hover
• friends
• group
• associates
• trouble

How is hang around used in real life?

Hang around is a common phrase that means to spend time somewhere or with someone.

Getting paid to hang around the mall for six hours. There's no one here!

— Tyler Thompson (@curseofmight) December 21, 2011

Started running the vacuum this morning and the dog went upstairs and back to bed. She's been hanging around the kids too long.

— Vicki (@Vyckster) October 4, 2010

Great win tonight!! Thanks to everybody who hung around after to hang out with me! #7inarow

— Chandler Parsons (@ChandlerParsons) February 13, 2014

Try using hang around!

True or False?

If you are hanging around with your sister, you are avoiding each other.