hang
HANG
Hang (verb) means to attach something at the top so it hangs down freely, or to be suspended in this way. Example: “They hung the painting above the fireplace.”
verb
1
To attach something at the top so it hangs down freely, or to be suspended in this way.
"They hung the painting above the fireplace."
"A single lightbulb hung from the ceiling."
"Hang your wet coat on the hook by the door."
2
To kill someone by suspending them by the neck.
"In earlier centuries, thieves could be hanged for their crimes."
3
To spend time somewhere in a relaxed, informal way (often "hang out").
"We used to hang around the arcade after school."
"Teenagers often hang out at the park on Friday evenings."
"I like to hang around the cafe with my friends on Saturdays."
noun
1
A general understanding of how to do or use something.
"It took a while, but I finally got the hang of the new software."
"Once you get the hang of cycling, you will never forget it."
"I haven't quite got the hang of this new phone yet."
How to use hang
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo be suspended from something, to execute someone by the neck, or to spend time casually somewhere.
Common mistake
The past tense differs by meaning: "hung" for suspending objects ("I hung the picture"), but "hanged" for executions ("he was hanged for murder").
Common pairings
hang out
get the hang of it
hang around
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Word forms
- Plural
- hangs
- Third person singular
- hangs
- Past tense
- hung, hanged
- Archaic forms
- hangest, hungest, hangedst, hangeth
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
_____ your wet coat on the hook by the door.
Etymology
From Old English hōn and hangian, both meaning "to hang," from a common Proto-Germanic root.
Related words
Rhymes for hang
See all rhymes for hang →Frequently asked questions
What does “hang” mean?
The word “hang” means to attach something at the top so it hangs down freely, or to be suspended in this way. In plain terms, to be suspended from something, to execute someone by the neck, or to spend time casually somewhere.
How do you pronounce “hang”?
“Hang” is pronounced HANG (/ˈhæŋ/ in IPA).
How do you use “hang” in a sentence?
Here is “hang” used in a sentence: “In earlier centuries, thieves could be hanged for their crimes.”
What is another word for “hang”?
Words with a similar meaning to “hang” include string up, swing, take a ride to Tyburn and lock up.
What part of speech is “hang”?
Depending on how it is used, “hang” can be a verb and a noun.
Where does the word “hang” come from?
The word “hang” comes from Old English. From Old English hōn and hangian, both meaning "to hang," from a common Proto-Germanic root.
Is “hang” a common word?
“Hang” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
How many meanings does “hang” have?
“Hang” has 4 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to attach something at the top so it hangs down freely, or to be suspended in this way.
What is the difference between 'hung' and 'hanged'?
Both are past tenses of hang, but usage differs. 'Hung' is correct for objects and most situations: she hung the picture, the coat was hung up. 'Hanged' is reserved for execution by hanging: the prisoner was hanged. Using 'hung' for a person's execution is considered incorrect in careful writing.
What are the different meanings of hang?
To hang can mean to attach something so it dangles from the top, like hanging a picture or curtains. It also means to be suspended, as clouds hang in the sky. Informally, to 'hang out' is to spend relaxed time somewhere, and a computer that 'hangs' has frozen and stopped responding.
What is an example of hang?
You hang a coat on a hook, hang washing on a line, or hang a painting on the wall — attaching each at the top so the rest falls freely. Something can also hang by itself: a lamp hangs from the ceiling, and mist hangs over the valley in the morning.
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