hangout
HighInformal, Colloquial
Definition
Meaning
A place where a person or group frequently spends time socially.
An informal social gathering or the act of spending casual, unstructured time with friends.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Primarily functions as a noun in modern usage. The verb form 'hang out' (two words) is more common for the action. The noun 'hangout' is a conversion/zero-derivation from the phrasal verb.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The term is used and understood in both varieties. Slightly more prevalent and feels more fully lexicalized as a single word in American English.
Connotations
Universally connotes informality and leisure. No significant difference in connotation between UK and US usage.
Frequency
Common in everyday speech in both regions, but corpus data shows higher frequency in American English.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[determiner] + hangout + for + [group][possessive] + hangoutbe + [article] + hangoutVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[not a source of idioms itself]”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Rare, except in marketing (e.g., 'promoting the café as a new hangout').
Academic
Not used in formal academic writing.
Everyday
Very common for referring to casual social venues (cafes, parks, homes).
Technical
Not applicable.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- We used to hang out by the canal.
- Do you fancy hanging out this weekend?
American English
- We hang out at the mall sometimes.
- I'm just hanging out with my buddies.
adverb
British English
- N/A
American English
- N/A
adjective
British English
- N/A
American English
- N/A
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The park is our favourite hangout.
- The café is a good hangout.
- The new library has become a popular hangout for students after school.
- We need to find a quieter hangout.
- That diner was our regular hangout throughout our university years.
- The city centre lacks affordable hangouts for young people.
- The app helps you locate trendy hangouts favoured by locals rather than tourists.
- The once-grungy hangout has been gentrified beyond recognition.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a place you 'hang out' with friends. That place IS your 'hangout'.
Conceptual Metaphor
SOCIALISING IS CASUAL SUSPENSION (from 'hang'), A PLACE IS A CONTAINER FOR LEISURE.
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with 'hangar' (ангар).
- Avoid a direct, overly physical translation like 'висеть снаружи'.
- The noun 'hangout' (место тусовки/встреч) is different from the verb 'to hang out' (тусоваться, проводить время).
Common Mistakes
- Writing as one word for the verb ('Let's hangout.') or as two words for the noun ('our favourite hang out').
- Using in overly formal contexts.
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the word 'hangout' LEAST appropriate?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
The noun is typically one word: 'hangout'. The verb phrase is two words: 'hang out'.
No, it's too informal. Use alternatives like 'meeting place', 'social venue', or 'leisure spot'.
A 'hangout' implies informal, regular, casual social use. A 'venue' is a more general and neutral term for any location where an event happens, formal or informal.
Yes, Google named its former communication service after this word to imply a casual, virtual place to meet and chat.
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