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Synonyms

hangout

American  
[hang-out] / ˈhæŋˌaʊt /

noun

Informal.

  1. a place where people gather for casual socializing or recreation.

    The pub is an ultracasual hangout, mostly frequented by undergraduates from the local university.

  2. a place that a person frequently visits, especially for socializing or recreation.

    The record store was one of my favorite neighborhood hangouts when I was a kid.

verb phrase

  1. to lean or be suspended through an opening.

    If you hang out the window that far, you're likely to fall right out!

  2. to suspend in open view; display.

    Her family hangs out the flag every day, not just on holidays.

  3. Informal. to frequent a particular place, especially in one's free time.

    We’ve all got friends who would rather hang out at a bookstore with a glass of wine than go clubbing.

  4. Informal. to linger or loiter somewhere.

    We’ve got nothing better to do, so we’ll probably just hang out.

  5. Informal. to spend time with someone.

    I’d love the chance to hang out with some like-minded folks.

  6. Informal. to wait, especially briefly.

    Hang out a minute while I get my backpack.

  7. Slang. to calm down.

    Hang out, Mom, I'm OK.

Etymology

Origin of hangout

An Americanism dating back to 1850–55; noun use of verb phrase hang out

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.

Even if you don’t stay, make a point of tiki cocktails and appetizers next to the underground, indoor waterfall in The Old Hangout or a beer behind The Vault’s hidden door.

From Seattle Times • Nov. 24, 2021

Hermiston let me see her Google Hangout exchanges with one of them.

From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 3, 2021

During lockdown, he got people together to do a weekly "Hobby Hangout" online call, where gamers painted miniatures and chatted to each other.

From BBC • Aug. 21, 2021

Magic that didn’t have to be this magical for what’s ultimately a Google Hangout.

From New York Times • Dec. 4, 2020

Then she joined a Google Hangout so other members of the far-flung group could join in the party after the trip to Haiti was called off due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

From Washington Times • May 25, 2020

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.