Hang
/hæŋ/
Definitions
5 meaningsTo suspend or be suspended from a fixed point, typically above something else.
/hæŋ/
To suspend or be suspended from above.
He hung his coat on the hook.
💡 Simply: Imagine you're putting your coat on a hook. Hanging means holding something up so it doesn't touch the ground. Like, "I'm going to hang my favorite shirt in the closet!"
👶 For kids: To put something up high, like a coat on a hook!
More Examples
The chandelier hung from the ceiling.
The sign was hung above the entrance.
How It's Used
"I hung the picture on the wall."
"The workers hung the new door."
To execute someone by suspending them from a rope tied around the neck.
/hæŋ/
To execute by suspending from a rope or cord.
The prisoner was sentenced to be hanged.
💡 Simply: This one's about what used to happen to people who broke the law really badly. Hanging meant they were killed by being hung from a rope. It’s not something we see much anymore.
👶 For kids: Being punished by having a rope around your neck!
More Examples
Historically, some people were hanged for crimes.
The execution was carried out by hanging.
How It's Used
"In the past, criminals were sometimes hanged."
"The judge sentenced the defendant to be hanged."
To keep something in a particular place or position.
/hæŋ/
To allow something to remain in a place.
They decided to hang the paintings in the living room.
💡 Simply: Imagine keeping something somewhere for a while. Like, "We'll hang the holiday lights until after the new year!"
👶 For kids: To keep something somewhere for a while.
More Examples
Let's hang the banners for the event.
He asked if he could hang the photographs on the wall.
How It's Used
"Let's hang the decorations until the party is over."
To become blocked or stuck, especially of a computer.
/hæŋ/
To be slow to move or proceed.
The software hung during the update.
💡 Simply: If your computer stops working and you can't do anything, it's said to "hang". Kind of like getting stuck in a game.
👶 For kids: To stop working like a broken toy.
More Examples
The computer hung unexpectedly.
The video game hung in the middle of the level.
How It's Used
"The process is going to hang a little bit because of technical issues."
"The computer hung."
The way something is suspended or falls.
/hæŋ/
The way something is positioned or hangs.
The hang of the curtains was elegant.
💡 Simply: If you’re talking about how clothes or curtains fall, that’s the hang. Like how pretty a dress looks when it's on a hanger!
👶 For kids: How something hangs down.
More Examples
She admired the hang of the designer dress.
The quality of the hang greatly affected the appearance.
How It's Used
"The hang of the fabric was beautiful."
"The hang of the coat was perfect."
Synonyms
Idioms & expressions
hang around
To spend time somewhere, often doing nothing in particular.
"We hung around the mall for a few hours."
hang back
To hesitate or stay behind; not to participate fully.
"He hung back from the argument."
hang on
To wait or hold on.
"Hang on a minute, I'll be right there!"
hang out
To spend time relaxing and socializing.
"We like to hang out at the coffee shop."
hang up
To end a telephone call.
"She hung up the phone after their argument."
get the hang of something
To learn how to do something; to understand the process.
"It took me a while, but I finally got the hang of using the new software."
in the balance
Uncertain; at risk.
"The fate of the project is currently in the balance."
leave someone hanging
To leave someone waiting or expecting something, without providing what they are waiting for.
"He left her hanging by not replying to her email."
let it all hang out
To relax completely and be open, especially to express feelings and be honest.
"At the party, she decided to let it all hang out and have fun."
From Old English *hōn* (intransitive, to be suspended) and *hangian* (transitive, to suspend). Related to Dutch hangen and German hängen.
Used extensively since Old English, with the meaning of suspension.
Memory tip
Think of hanging a picture on a wall.