hang out

British  

verb

1. to suspend, be suspended, or lean, esp from an opening, as for display or airing

   to hang out the washing

2. informal (intr) to live at or frequent a place

   the police know where the thieves hang out

3. informal to frequent the company (of someone)

4. slang to relax completely in an unassuming way (esp in the phrase let it all hang out )

5. informal (intr) to act or speak freely, in an open, cooperative, or indiscreet manner

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noun

1. informal a place where one lives or that one frequently visits

hang out Idioms  

1. Protrude downward, as in The dog's tongue was hanging out , or The branches hung out over the driveway . [c. 1400]

2. Display a flag or sign of some kind, as in They hung out the flag on every holiday . [Mid-1500s]

3. Reside, live, as in I've found a place downtown, and I'll be hanging out there beginning next week . [c. 1800]

4. Spend one's free time in; also, loiter, pass time idly. For example, They hung out around the pool parlor , or They spent the evening just hanging out . [ Slang ; mid-1900s]

5. hang out with . Keep company with, appear in public with, as in She's hanging out with her ex-boyfriend again . [ Slang ; second half of 1900s] Also see the subsequent idioms beginning with hang out ; let it all hang out .

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Example Sentences

"It's the best place to hang out," she says.

From BBC • Jun. 10, 2026

We’d get a cocktail, listen to the band and hang out.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 5, 2026

The young Rollins would hang out at Monk's apartment and played on the pianist's classic 1957 album "Brilliant Corners."

From Barron's • May 26, 2026

Meanwhile, the poor millionaires hang out in the marina on their smaller yachts.

From Salon • May 22, 2026

JonPaul came home with me after school to hang out and watch movies.

From "Liar, Liar" by Gary Paulsen