hang around
phrasal verb·3 senses·particle around
Meanings
Stay nearby without a purpose
Why “around”? A person stays near a place or group, or moves among several places.
“He hung around outside the school.”
“Maya and Leo hung around the club door while security fixed a problem.”
Stay in a place without doing much
Informal. British people also say hang about. Compare the regional counterpart.
Why “around”? Activity continues without a clear direction, purpose, or commitment.
“Teenagers hang around the park.”
“Maya and Leo hung around outside the club after the failed name check.”
“They hang around the mall after school.”
Spend time with a person or group regularly
“He hangs around with the older boys.”
“Mia hangs around with the art students.”
Don't confuse with
Hang around means stay nearby without a purpose. Hang on means wait for a short time.
Test yourself
“He hung around outside the school.” What does it mean?
Nearby in the meaning map
Sink In connects verbs by particle pattern, contrast pairs, and shared base verbs.
hang on
A contrast learners often mix up
Wait for a short time; Hold something tightly; Keep something rather than giving it away
be around
Same around pattern: nearby
Be present in the locality
cluster around
Same around pattern: nearby
Form a tight group near something
come around
Same around pattern: nearby
Visit someone at their home; Regain consciousness after fainting or anaesthesia; Eventually agree to or accept an idea; (of an event) recur on a regular schedule
crowd around
Same around pattern: nearby
Press close in a thick group
dick around
Same around pattern: no clear way
Waste time doing nothing useful (informal, sometimes rude)
fool around
Same around pattern: no clear way
Behave in a silly or playful way; Have casual romantic or sexual relationships
gather around
Same around pattern: nearby
Form a group nearby
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