1 A2 informal
To spend time in a place without a specific purpose.
"A group of boys were hanging round the entrance to the park all afternoon."
hang round
A2 informal intransitive
To spend time in a place or with people without doing anything in particular. (British English variant of 'hang around'.)
In plain English
To stay in a place without doing much, or to spend time with someone.
What does "hang round" mean?
2 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
2 A2 informal
To spend time regularly with someone or a group of people.
"She's been hanging round with a new crowd since she moved to the city."
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
To hang (stay) round (in the surrounding area).
Actually means
To stay in a place without doing much, or to spend time with someone.
Usage tip
This is the British English form of 'hang around'. Identical in meaning and usage to 'hang around' but more typically heard in British English. Common in everyday speech.
Words that pair with "hang round"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
all day corner with friends shops town
How to conjugate "hang round"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
hang round
I/you/we/they
3rd person
hangs round
he/she/it
Past simple
hung round
yesterday
Past participle
hung round
have + pp
-ing form
hanging round
continuous
Hear "hang round" in the wild
Listen to native speakers using "hang round" in real YouTube videos — click a clip to watch it on Looplines.
Other ways to say "hang round"
Swap in when you want variety — tap a linked one to explore it.
Keep exploring
Jump to every phrasal verb built on the same verb, particle, or level.