hang out
7 synonyms for hang out, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Verb — To spend time somewhere in a relaxed way, with no particular purpose, usually with other people.
Synonyms
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
spend time
socialise
hang around
associate with
go around with
keep company with
Synonyms by Meaning
1. verb informal
To spend time somewhere in a relaxed way, with no particular purpose, usually with other people.
“We hung out at the skate park until it got dark.”
2. verb informal
To be a regular companion of someone, or to keep company with a particular group.
“He hangs out with the sound engineers more than the band.”
associate with
go around with
keep company with
How to use hang out
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
hang out with friends
hang out at the mall
just hanging out
Informal but universal in spoken English.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between hang out and hangout?
Hang out is the verb: we hang out on Fridays. Hangout, written as one word, is the noun for the place: the cafe is their usual hangout.
What is the past tense of hang out?
Hung out. We hung out all afternoon. The form hanged is only used for execution, never for this phrasal verb.
Does hanging out mean a date?
Not by itself. Hanging out is deliberately vague and casual, which is exactly why people use it when they do not want to call something a date. Context and tone decide.
