hangout

[hang-out]

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.

Word History and Origins

Origin of hangout¹

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

Example Sentences

But it had gotten stuck in the mud and was becoming a popular hangout for birds.

Read more on Literature

One theory: the meetups are also an excuse for retirees to hangout and gossip.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

That was harder to do in Edinburgh than Glasgow, where the group regularly gigged at the likes of legendary hangout Nice N' Sleazy.

Read more on BBC

For Tchine, a standout in the London Pulse side who swept to their first Super League title this year, the "wow" moment came at the Lionesses' luxury hangout.

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It’s those small gestures during their hangouts — like Dennis refraining from correcting Roman’s misuse of idioms — that forge a special if imbalanced dynamic as they try to fill their respective voids.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• haunt 
• watering hole