Word.ws English Dictionary

hang

UK/hæŋ/

More pronunciations (1)Fewer pronunciations

British/haŋ/

hang verb: to be or remain suspended. Also the alternative spelling of Hang.

Verb

hang (third-person singular simple present hangs, present participle hanging, simple past and past participle hung or (law) hanged)

  1. (intransitive) To be or remain suspended.
    • The lights hung from the ceiling.
    • On the dark-green walls hung a series of eight engravings, portraits of early Victorian belles, clad in lace and tarletan ball dresses, clipped from an old Book of Beauty. Mrs. Bunting was very fond of these pictures; she thought they gave the drawing-room a note of elegance and refinement.1913, Mrs. [Marie] Belloc Lowndes, chapter II, in The Lodger, London: Methuen, →OCLC; republished in Novels of Mystery: The Lodger; The Story of Ivy; What Really Happened, New York, N.Y.: Longmans...
    Synonyms:
    be suspend, dangle
  2. (intransitive) To float, as if suspended.
    • The smoke hung in the room.
    • It was a couple of days after the crash, with the smell of burning still hanging in the air from the incinerated wreckage of Coach H, where 31 passengers lost their lives, when I visited the West London site.2023 September 20, Nigel Harris, “Comment Special: And it's goodbye from me...”, in RAIL, number 992, page 3
    Synonyms:
    float, hover
  3. (intransitive) To veer in one direction.
    • The jockey claimed that the horse hung towards the outside[…]1979, Council of Law Reporting for New South Wales, New South Wales Law Reports (non-fiction), New South Wales: Council of Law Reporting for New South Wales, published 1979, page 16
  4. (intransitive, usually) To rebound unexpectedly or unusually slowly, due to backward spin on the ball or imperfections of the ground.
  5. (transitive) To hold or bear in a suspended or inclined manner or position instead of erect.
    • He hung his head in shame.
    Synonyms:
    drop, lower
  6. (transitive) To cause (something) to be suspended, as from a hook, hanger, hinges, or the like.
    • Hang those lights from the ceiling.
    • to hang a door
  7. (transitive) To kill (someone) by suspension from the neck, usually as a form of execution or suicide.
    • The culprits were hanged from the nearest tree.
    • '[…] There's every Staffordshire crime-piece ever made in this cabinet, and that's unique. The Van Hoyer Museum in New York hasn't that very rare second version of Maria Marten's Red Barn over there, nor the little Frederick George Manning—he was the criminal Dickens saw hanged on the roof of the...1963, Margery Allingham, chapter 3, in The China Governess: A Mystery, London: Chatto & Windus, →OCLC
    Synonyms:
    lynch
  8. (intransitive) To be executed by suspension by one's neck from a gallows, a tree, or other raised bar, attached by a rope tied into a noose.
    • You will hang for this, my friend.
    Synonyms:
    go to the gallows
  9. (informal, transitive) (used in maledictions) To damn.
    • Helena
      That depends on how much of the factory you show me.
      Domin
      Oh, hang the factory. Oh, no, no, you shall see everything, Miss Glory. Indeed you shall. Won't you sit down?c. 1921 (date written), Karel Čapek, translated by Paul Selver, R.U.R. (Rossum’s Universal Robots): A Fantastic Melodrama […], Garden City, N.Y.: Doubleday, Page & Company, published 1923, →OCLC, Act...
    • [H]e suddenly flung down his brush on the floor, said "Bother!" and "Oh blow!" and also "Hang spring-cleaning!" and bolted out of the house without even waiting to put on his coat.1908, Kenneth Grahame, The Wind in the Willows, London: Wordsworth Classics, published 1993, page 11
  10. (informal, intransitive) To loiter; to hang around; to spend time idly.
    • I didn't see anything, officer. I was just hanging.
    • He banned spearfishing wherever he could, started the first eco-moorings in the Caribbean, stopped others from coral- and shell-collecting, and had so much fun 24/7 that some unusually powerful people began to hang with him.2006, Scuba Diving, numbers 1-6, page 49
  11. (transitive) To exhibit (an object) by hanging.
    Synonyms:
    exhibit, show
  12. (transitive) To apply (wallpaper or drywall to a wall).
    • Let's hang this cute animal design in the nursery.
    Synonyms:
    put up
Show 9 more meaningsShow fewer meanings
  1. (transitive) To decorate (something) with hanging objects.
    • Let's hang the nursery with some new wallpaper.
    Synonyms:
    bedeck, deck, decorate
  2. (figuratively, intransitive) To remain persistently in one's thoughts.
    • Exploring, I found another short gallery running transversely to the first. This appeared to be devoted to minerals, and the sight of a block of sulphur set my mind running on gunpowder. But I could find no saltpetre; indeed, no nitrates of any kind. Doubtless they had deliquesced ages ago. Yet the...1895 May 29, H[erbert] G[eorge] Wells, “The Palace of Green Porcelain”, in The Time Machine: An Invention, London: William Heinemann, →OCLC, page 110
  3. (transitive) To prevent from reaching a decision, especially by refusing to join in a verdict that must be unanimous.
    • One obstinate juror can hang a jury.
  4. (intransitive) To stop responding to manual input devices such as the keyboard and mouse.
    • The computer has hung again. Not even pressing <Ctrl>+<Alt>+<Del> works.
    • When I push this button the program hangs.
  5. (transitive) To cause (a program or computer) to stop responding.
    • The program has a bug that can hang the system.
    Synonyms:
    freeze
  6. (transitive) To cause (a piece) to become vulnerable to capture.
    • If you move there, you'll hang your rook.
  7. (intransitive) To be vulnerable to capture.
    • In this standard opening position White has to be careful because the pawn on e4 hangs.
  8. (slang, transitive) To throw a hittable off-speed pitch.
    • McDougald then singled, and with a 3-2 count on Ellie Howard who was playing first base, Spahn hung a curve ball and Howard hit it over the wire fence in left field for a 4-4 tie.2010, Peter Golenbock, Dynasty: The New York Yankees, 1949-1964, →ISBN, page 409
  9. (figuratively, transitive) To attach or cause to stick (a charge or accusation, etc.).
    • There were no whisperings, even from his opponents, that he was no better than he ought to be. Because, there was nothing wrong on which to hang a charge. As an eloquent orator, he carried with him the firm support of a good name.1848, The American Pulpit, volume 3, Samuel Chism, published 1848, page 120
    • Papa had wanted to call me Beverly Mary; Mary after the Blessed Virgin. Mama said she wouldn't hang a name like Beverly Mary on a pet skunk.1989, Faith Sullivan, The Cape Ann, Penguin, published 1989, →ISBN, page 2

Noun (1)

hang (plural hangs)

  1. The way in which something hangs.
    • This skirt has a nice hang.
  2. A mass of hanging material.
    • They advanced in a crouch, dropping to their knees every few yards to pass under a hang of rock.2014, Matthew Jobin, The Nethergrim, volume 1
    • “I don't see the hang of so much talky-talky,” broke in Uncle Sam. “We've heard all that can be said about things, […]1911, Alexander MacDonald, The Invisible Island: A Story of the Far North of Queensland, page 105
  3. A slackening of motion.
  4. A sharp or steep declivity or slope.
  5. An instance of ceasing to respond to input.
    • We sometimes get system hangs.
  6. (figuratively, informal) A grip, understanding.
    • On the fatal evening I duly made my way to the theatre—a little late, so as to take my seat unobserved. After I had got the general hang I glanced up occasionally until I caught Stephanie's eye […]1914, Ernest Bramah, Max Carrados
  7. (colloquial) A hangout.
    • My first day was a fun hang, but I didn't really do too much. Me and stupid Bob just hung around the casino looking at box and losing money.2008, Jim Norton, Happy Endings, Gallery Books, →ISBN, page 25
    • So how can you set up a hang within a 90-minute time-frame for yourself? Be clear with your friends about timing from the get-go, so they, too, can decide if it's worth their time to even meet up.2021 April 14, Jen Kirsch, “A Good Hang Lasts No More Than 90 Minutes”, in InStyle, archived from the original on 21 Oct 2022
  8. (colloquial) A person that someone hangs out with.
    • She might announce something to everyone that makes no sense or tells a story that rambles on and on and makes no point. But for some reason nobody seems to mind. We all just like to listen to The Airhead. She's a fun hang.2004, Relient K, Mark Nichols, The Complex Infrastructure Known as the Female Mind, Thomas Nelson, →ISBN, page 76
    • "I couldn't sit down and play a concert for you or really wow you on any instrument," Mr. Blanco said, estimating that "like 75 percent" of his success comes from being a good hang. "What I can do is meet an artist, know what type of song I think we should make and be their therapist, make everyone...2018 July 18, Joe Coscarelli, “How Benny Blanco Became the Most Popular Oddball in Pop Music”, in New York Times

Noun (2)

hang (uncountable)

  1. (Ireland, derogatory, informal) Cheap processed ham (cured pork), often made specially for sandwiches.

Noun (3)

hang (plural hangs)

  1. (colloquial) The smallest amount of concern or consideration; a damn.
    • I don't give a hang.
    • They don't seem to care a hang about the consequences.

Noun (4) capitalized: Hang

Hang (plural Hangs or Hanghang)

  1. A percussion instrument invented and built by PANArt Hangbau AG, somewhat resembling a steelpan, consisting of two metal half shells with tuned notes on the top side that produces a mellow and ethereal sound.
    • Philip plays a Hang drum—a unique instrument that looks a little like two woks welded together.2009, Steven J. L. Croft, Ian Mobsby, editors, Fresh Expressions in the Sacramental Tradition, Hymns Ancient and Modern Ltd, →ISBN, page 84
    Synonyms:
    handpan

Also used as

hang is also the alternative spelling of Hang.

hang meaning in Hindi, Tamil, Marathi and Urdu

hang in Hindi

to be or remain suspended
लटकना laṭaknā
to cause to be suspended
लटकाना laṭkānā, टांगना ṭāṅgnā

hang in Tamil

to be or remain suspended
தொங்கு toṅku
to float as if suspended
மித mita
to hold or bear in a suspended or inclined manner or position
தொங்கவிடு toṅkaviṭu
to cause to be suspended
தூக்கு tūkku, தொங்கவிடு toṅkaviṭu

hang in Marathi

लटकवा

hang in Urdu

to be or remain suspended
لٹکنا laṭaknā
to cause to be suspended
لٹکانا laṭkānā
More languagesFewer languages
hang in Bengali
ঝোলা jhōla, ঝোলানো jhōlanō, ফাঁসি দেওয়া phãśi deōẇa, ভাসা bhaśa
hang in Telugu
వేలాడు vēlāḍu, వేలాడదీయు vēlāḍadīyu, ఉరితీయు uritīyu, ఉరితీయబడు uritīyabaḍu
hang in Malayalam
തൂക്കിയിടുക
hang in Kannada
ನೇಣು ಹಾಕಿಕೊಳ್ಳಿ, ತೂಗುಹಾಕಿಕೊಳ್ಳಿ
hang in Punjabi
ਲਟਕਣਾ, ਲਟਕੋ
hang in Gujarati
લટકાવો
hang in Odia
ଝୁଲାଇବା jhulāibā
hang in Assamese
ওলমা üloma, ওলোমা ülüma, জুলা zula, ওলমোৱা ülomüa
hang in Tagalog
bitin, ibitin
hang in Arabic
عَلِقَ ʕaliqa, عِلِق ʕilig, عَلَّق ʕallag, عَلَّقَ ʕallaqa
hang in Indonesian
heng
hang in Persian
آویزان شدن âvizân šodan, آویزان بودن âvizân budan, آویزان کردن âvizân kardan, آویختن âvixtan
hang in Thai
แขวน kwɛ̌ɛn, ห้อย hɔ̂i, วาง waang, แขวนคอ
hang in Vietnamese
treo, làm treo
hang in Myanmar
ဆွဲ hcwai:, ချိတ်ဆွဲ hkyithcwai:

Examples of hang in a sentence

  • It were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and he cast into the sea, than that he should offend one of these little ones.1611, The Holy Bible, […] (King James Version), London: […] Robert Barker, […], →OCLC, Luke 17:1-2:
  • The court could change its rules and hang him, the way the Allies hanged Nazi war criminals at the end of World War II.2022 March 10, Peter Lucas, “Lucas: Putin has blood on his hands and The Hague must make him pay”, in Boston Herald, archived from the...
  • He invited us over to his beautiful heritage home in downtown Toronto for a hang.2021 October 27, Danielle McTaggart (quoted), Chelsea Brimstin, “Dear Rouge share sentimental video for delicate new single 'Life Goes By...
  • Blanco said, estimating that "like 75 percent" of his success comes from being a good hang.2018 July 18, Joe Coscarelli, “How Benny Blanco Became the Most Popular Oddball in Pop Music”, in New York Times:

All 40 example sentences with hang

Synonyms of hang

18 more synonymsFewer synonyms

All synonyms of hang

Forms of hang

Verb
third-person singular presenthangs
present participlehanging
past participlehung
pasthung
past participlehanged
pasthanged
second-person singular present (archaic)hangest
second-person singular past (archaic)hungest
second-person singular past (archaic)hangedst
third-person singular present (archaic)hangeth
Noun
pluralhangs
pluralHangs
pluralHanghang

Past tense of hang: hung or hanged

Plural of hang: hangs

Origin of hang

From Middle English hangen, hongen, from a fusion of Old English hōn (“to hang, be hanging”, transitive verb) and hangian (“to hang, cause to hang”, intransitive verb), respectively from the transitive verb Proto-West Germanic *hą̄han and the intransitive verb *hangēn; also probably influenced by Old Norse hengja (“to suspend”) and hanga (“to be suspended”); all from Proto-Germanic *hanhaną and *hangāną, from Proto-Indo-European *ḱenk- (“to waver, be in suspense”). See also Dutch hangen, Low German hangen and hängen, German hängen, Norwegian Bokmål henge, Norwegian Nynorsk henga; also Gothic 𐌷𐌰𐌷𐌰𐌽 (hāhan), Hittite 𒂵𒀀𒀭𒂵 (/⁠kānk-⁠/, “to hang”), Sanskrit शङ्कते (śáṅkate, “is in doubt, hesitates”), Latin cūnctārī (“to delay”).

From hang sangwich, Irish colloquial pronunciation of ham sandwich.

Alteration of dang, itself a minced oath of damn.

Words formed from hang

Phrases with hang

56 more phrasesFewer phrases

Words that rhyme with hang

38 more rhymesFewer rhymes

Questions about hang

What does hang mean?
Hang means to be or remain suspended.
What is hang in Hindi?
Hang in Hindi is लटकना (laṭaknā), लटकाना (laṭkānā), टांगना (ṭāṅgnā). See Hang meaning in Hindi.
How do you use hang in a sentence?
It were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and he cast into the sea, than that he should offend one of these little ones.
What part of speech is hang?
Hang can be a verb or a noun.
How do you pronounce hang?
Hang is pronounced /hæŋ/ (UK).
What is the past tense of hang?
The past tense of hang is hung.

Words near hang in the dictionary

  1. Hanfordites
  2. Hanfords
  3. Hanft
  4. Hanfts
  5. hanfu
  6. hang
  7. hang a larry
  8. hang a left
  9. hang a leg
  10. hang a louie
  11. hang a ralph

Source and license

Adapted from Wiktionary: hang (page history and authors); Hang (page history and authors); hang (Marathi, IndicTrans2 machine translation) (model and license); hang (Malayalam, IndicTrans2 machine translation) (model and license); hang (Kannada, IndicTrans2 machine translation) (model and license); hang (Punjabi, IndicTrans2 machine translation) (model and license); hang (Gujarati, IndicTrans2 machine translation) (model and license). Text available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 license. Word.ws reformatted the entry and added links. Wiktionary data of 2026-09-02.

Last updated:

Pronunciation audio from Wikimedia Commons, each file under its own free license: en-us-hang.ogg.

Cite this entry: “hang.” Word.ws, https://word.ws/hang. Based on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.