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hang around

A2 informal intransitive

In simple words

To stay somewhere without doing anything special, or to spend time with someone.

Literal meaning: To hang (remain suspended) around (in the surrounding area).

Meanings

1 A2 informal

very common

To spend time in a place doing nothing in particular.

"We hung around the station for an hour waiting for the next train."

2 A2 informal

very common

To spend time regularly with someone; to associate with a person or group.

"She started hanging around with a much older crowd after starting university."

3 A2 informal

common

To wait for someone patiently (or impatiently).

"Don't expect me to hang around while you get ready — I'll meet you there."

Usage notes

Very common in everyday speech. Can be followed by 'with' to indicate companions ('hang around with bad people'). Often implies that the waiting is slightly tedious. Common in both British and American English.

Commonly used with

all day with friends outside town the house

Forms

Base

hang around

I/you/we/they

3rd person

hangs around

he/she/it

Past simple

hung around

yesterday

Past participle

hung around

have + pp

-ing form

hanging around

continuous

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Synonyms

hang about hang out loiter linger idle wait around

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