- 1[transitive, intransitive] to attach something, or to be attached, at the top so that the lower part is free or loose hang something + adv./prep. Hang your coat on the hook. hang something up Should I hang your coat up? hang something (out) Have you hung the laundry out? hang adv./prep. There were several expensive suits hanging in his closet. fall loosely
- 2[intransitive] hang adv./prep. when something hangs in a particular way, it falls in that way Her hair hung down to her waist. He had lost weight and the suit hung loosely on him.
- 3[intransitive, transitive] to bend or let something bend downward hang adv./prep. The dog's tongue was hanging out. Children hung (= were leaning) over the gate. A cigarette hung from her lips. hang something She hung her head in shame. kill someone
- 4(hanged, hanged) [transitive, intransitive] hang (somebody/yourself) to kill someone, usually as a punishment, by tying a rope around their neck and allowing them to drop; to be killed in this way He was the last man to be hanged for murder in this country. She had committed suicide by hanging herself from a beam. At that time you could hang for stealing. pictures
- 5[transitive, intransitive] hang (something) to attach something, especially a picture, to a hook on a wall; to be attached in this way We hung her portrait above the fireplace. Several of his paintings hang in the Guggenheim Museum.
- 6[transitive, usually passive] hang something with something to decorate a place by placing paintings, etc. on a wall The rooms were hung with tapestries. wallpaper
- 7[transitive] hang something to stick wallpaper to a wall
- 8[transitive] hang something to attach a door or gate to a post so that it moves freely stay in the air
- 9[intransitive] + adv./prep. to stay in the air Smoke hung in the air above the city. spend tiime
- 10[intransitive] (informal) to spend a lot of time in a particular place, not doing very much We usually hang at Sue's house. Idioms
- 1hang/lie heavy (on/in something) (of a feeling or something in the air) to be very noticeable in a particular place in a way that is unpleasant Smoke lay heavy on the far side of the water. Despair hangs heavy in the stifling air.
- 2hang/lie heavy on somebody/something to cause someone or something to feel uncomfortable or anxious The crime lay heavy on her conscience.
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NAmE//hæŋ//
In sense 4, hanged is used for the past tense and past participle.Verb Forms present simple I / you / we / they hang he / she / it hangs
past simple hanged
-ing form hanging
(of a person's life) to be in great danger
to delay or be delayed in taking action The project had hung fire for several years for lack of funds.
to remain determined to succeed even when a situation is difficult
to take a left/right turn
to remain calm; to not worry It's OK—hang loose and stay cool.
to listen with great attention to someone you admire
to start a business as a doctor, lawyer, or other professional
to be determined and refuse to change your attitude or ideas
if the future of something or someone, or the result of something, is/hangs in the balance, it is uncertain The long-term future of the space program hangs in the balance. Tom's life hung in the balance for two weeks as he lay in a coma.
to express your feelings freely
something that gives you an excuse or opportunity to discuss or explain something The character provides a peg to hang the writer's political ideas on. Phrasal Verbshang aroundhang around withhang backhang onhang ontohang outhang out withhang overhang togetherhang uphang up onhang with
Check pronunciation: hang