hang out
Very High (CEFR B1)Informal, Casual
Definition
Meaning
To spend time in a place or with someone, usually in a relaxed, informal way.
To be based or reside somewhere; to spend a lot of time in a particular place; (informal) to have a particular trait or characteristic persistently.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Primarily a phrasal verb. As a compound noun 'hangout', it refers to the place where one regularly spends time. Implies a lack of specific purpose or structured activity.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Usage is near-identical in both varieties. British English might more frequently use 'knock about/around' as a synonym. The noun 'hangout' is slightly more common in American English.
Connotations
Equally informal and social in both. No significant connotative difference.
Frequency
Extremely high frequency in both varieties, perhaps marginally higher in AmE due to cultural export of media.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[SUBJ] hang out[SUBJ] hang out with [OBJ/PERSON][SUBJ] hang out at/in [OBJ/PLACE][SUBJ] hang out togetherVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “hang out your shingle (to start a business, especially legal or medical)”
- “hang out to dry (to abandon someone to blame or punishment)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Rare. Unprofessional unless in very casual internal communication ('Let's hang out after the conference').
Academic
Rare, except in sociolinguistic or anthropological studies of youth culture.
Everyday
Extremely common for describing informal social plans and leisure time.
Technical
Not used.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- We used to hang out at the rec centre after college.
- Do you fancy hanging out this weekend?
- He hangs out with a crowd from the rugby club.
American English
- We hang out at the mall on Fridays.
- Do you want to hang out after practice?
- She's been hanging out with her coworkers a lot.
adjective
British English
- He's got a real hang-out vibe about him. (Rare, creative use)
Examples
By CEFR Level
- I hang out with my friends.
- We hang out at the park.
- Do you want to hang out on Saturday?
- My brother hangs out with his university friends.
- Back in the 90s, we'd hang out at the arcade every weekend.
- The new café has become a popular place for teenagers to hang out.
- The artist's early work seems to hang out in the space between surrealism and abstract expressionism.
- After the scandal, several officials were left hanging out to dry by their party.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a picture **hanging out** of a frame—it's relaxed, not confined, and just 'being there'. Similarly, when you 'hang out', you are in a place or with people in a relaxed, unconfined way.
Conceptual Metaphor
SOCIALISING IS A PHYSICAL STATE (being suspended in a space/time).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not translate literally as 'висеть снаружи'.
- Avoid confusing with 'гулять' (to walk/go for a walk), which implies more movement.
- It is closer to 'тусоваться' (very informal) or 'проводить время' (neutral).
Common Mistakes
- *I hang out my friend. (Correct: I hang out WITH my friend.)
- Using it in formal writing.
- Confusing 'hang out' (phrasal verb) with 'hangout' (noun).
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following is the LEAST appropriate context for using 'hang out'?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is distinctly informal and should be avoided in formal writing and speech.
'Hang out' emphasises the relaxed, unstructured nature of spending time together. 'Meet up' implies a planned meeting, which could be for a specific purpose (including a casual one). You can 'meet up to hang out'.
Yes, but it implies a very casual, non-committal date. Saying "We're hanging out" is often used to describe early, undefined romantic stages.
The noun is 'hangout' (one word or hyphenated: hang-out). It means a place where someone regularly spends leisure time. E.g., "That pub is our favourite hangout."