Hangout Definition & Meaning

American

Etymology

Examples

Related Words

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.

Yet until the hangout space opened, its work had seemed sporadic, and some in the community were questioning whether there would be resources and vision to support Altadena Girls long-term.

From Los Angeles Times

The hangout chair is part of a modular system with a floating bar, hammocks, tubes, and loungers that can be connected to create an in-water playpen.

From Salon

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

From Literature

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

From 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.

From BBC

Related Words

• haunt
• watering hole

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.