- To spend time relaxing, socializing, or loitering informally with no specific activity or purpose planned.
Explanation
Origin
- Likely evolved from the literal sense of hanging around or being suspended in a place.
- The idea of flags or signs hanging out (being displayed) might have contributed to the sense of being present or visible in a location.
- Became popular as slang for informal socializing in the mid-20th century America.
Synonyms & Related Expressions
Alternatives
Slang/Informal:
- Vibe. (Recent slang, relax and enjoy the atmosphere, often together)
- Shoot the breeze. (Chat idly)
- Just be. (Simply exist together without pressure)
Vulgar/Emphatic:
- (Not typically used for 'hang out', which is inherently casual. Vulgarity might describe *what* happens *while* hanging out.)
- Fuck around. (Can mean waste time idly, but often has other vulgar connotations)
Milder / More Specific:
- Get together. (Can be slightly more planned)
- Visit.
- Spend the afternoon together.
Situational Appropriateness
- Informal. Perfect for casual social situations with friends, peers, family.
- Avoid in formal settings. Don't ask your CEO if they want to hang out. Use meet, get together, or suggest a specific activity.
Misunderstanding Warnings
- Less about misunderstanding, more about the vagueness. It implies low-pressure, unstructured time. If someone expects a specific activity, clarify.
- Hangout (one word) can also be a noun meaning a place where people frequently hang out (This cafe is our usual hangout.)
Examples
- We usually just hang out at the park after school.
- Want to hang out at my place this weekend?
- He spends too much time hanging out with the wrong crowd.
- What did you do last night? Not much, just hung out. (Past tense: hung out)
Dialogue
Jake: Hey Mia, what are you up to on Saturday?
Mia: Nothing planned yet, why?
Jake: Want to just hang out? Maybe come over, play some video games?
Mia: Yeah, that sounds fun! What time?
Jake: How about afternoon, like 2pm?
Mia: Cool, see you then.
Social Media Examples
- Status Update: Just hanging out with my besties! 😊 #friends #weekendvibes
- Tweet: Anyone wanna hang out and watch the game tonight? #sports #meetup
- DM: Hey! Long time no see. We should hang out soon.
Response Patterns
To an invitation (Want to hang out?):
- Acceptance: Yeah, sure!, Sounds good!, Definitely, when/where?
- Declining: Sorry, I can't, I'm busy., Maybe another time?
- Suggesting specifics: Yeah, maybe we could watch a movie?
When asked what you did (What did you do?):
- Response: Just hung out. (Often implies nothing significant happened)
Common Follow-up Questions/Actions
After agreeing to hang out:
- Arranging details: Cool, what time?, My place or yours?
- Suggesting an activity (even if casual): Want to grab some food while we hang out?
After someone says they just hung out:
- Maybe asking for more details (if close friends): Oh yeah? Who with?, Where'd you hang?
- Often, just accepting it as a low-key answer: Cool.
Conversation Starter
- Yes. Want to hang out sometime? is a very common way to initiate plans or express interest in spending time with someone.
Intonation
- Generally relaxed and casual tone.
- Stress often falls on hang. HANG out.
- When asking (Want to hang out?), rising intonation at the end.
Generation Differences
- Used and understood by nearly all generations, though perhaps most associated with youth and young adults.
- Very common from Gen X through Gen Z and Alpha.
Regional Variations
- Universal in American English. Very common in other English-speaking countries as well.