1 A2 informal
To spend time in a place doing nothing in particular.
"We hung around the station for an hour waiting for the next train."
hang around
A2 informal intransitive
To spend time idly in a place or with people, or to wait for someone.
In plain English
To stay somewhere without doing anything special, or to spend time with someone.
What does "hang around" mean?
3 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
2 A2 informal
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
To wait for someone patiently (or impatiently).
"Don't expect me to hang around while you get ready — I'll meet you there."
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
To hang (remain suspended) around (in the surrounding area).
Actually means
To stay somewhere without doing anything special, or to spend time with someone.
Usage tip
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.
Words that pair with "hang around"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
all day with friends outside town the house
How to conjugate "hang around"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
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
Hear "hang around" in the wild
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Other ways to say "hang around"
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Keep exploring
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