Definition

1. Verb:

   • To suspend or attach something from above with no support from below: The primary meaning of "hang" is to attach something so that its lower part is free.
   • To kill someone by suspending them by the neck: This specific use (past tense and past participle often "hanged") refers to execution or suicide by suspension.
   • To remain in the air; to float or hover: "Hang" can describe something, like fog or a threat, that remains in a place.
   • To attach or place something on a wall: This refers to positioning items like pictures or decorations.
   • To bend forward; to droop: "Hang" can describe the downward position of one's head or hair.

2. Noun:

   • The way something drapes or falls: "Hang" refers to the manner in which a piece of clothing or fabric falls due to gravity.
   • A special method or knack for doing something: Used informally to mean the particular way of understanding or handling a task.

Examples of Usage

• Verb:

  • Please hang your coat on the hook. (Attach from above)
  • In the past, criminals were sometimes hanged. (Executed by suspension)
  • A sense of dread hung in the air. (Remained present)
  • He decided to hang the new painting in the living room. (Place on a wall)
  • She hung her head in shame. (Bent forward)

• Noun:

  • The hang of this skirt is very elegant. (The way it drapes)
  • After a few tries, I finally got the hang of driving a manual car. (Understood the method)

Advanced Usage

• "Hang fire": To delay or be postponed.

  • The project is hanging fire until we get more funding.

• "Hang in the balance": To be in an uncertain state; the outcome is undecided.

  • The patient's life hung in the balance.

• "Hang one's hat on something": To depend on or use something as a basis for belief or action.

  • You can hang your hat on his promise; he's very reliable.

Variants and Related Words

• Hanger (n): A device or person that hangs something (e.g., a clothes hanger).
• Hanging (n/adj): The act of killing by suspending by the neck; or, something that is suspended (e.g., wall hangings).
• Overhang (n/v): A part that extends out over something else; to project over.

Synonyms

• Suspend: To hang from a point of attachment.
• Dangle: To hang or swing loosely.
• Drape: To arrange cloth or clothing in loose folds.
• Linger: To remain in a place, similar to how a smell or feeling can "hang" in the air.

Related Phrasal Verbs

• Hang on: To wait; to hold tightly; to persist.

  • Hang on a moment, I'll be right back.
  • Hang on to the railing.

• Hang out: To spend time in a place casually.

  • We like to hang out at the cafe.

• Hang up: To end a phone call; to place on a hook or hanger.

  • She hung up the phone.
  • He hung up his jacket.

• Hang around: To loiter or spend time in a place without a specific purpose.

  • Teenagers were hanging around the park.

Related Idioms

• Hang by a thread: To be in a very precarious or dangerous situation.

  • After the accident, his survival hung by a thread.

• Hang in there: An encouragement to persevere through difficulty.

  • I know it's tough, but just hang in there.

• Hang your head: To look downward due to shame or embarrassment.

  • He hung his head when he realized his mistake.

• Let it all hang out: To behave in a very relaxed, uninhibited way.

  • At the party, everyone just let it all hang out.

Noun

1. a gymnastic exercise performed on the rings or horizontal bar or parallel bars when the gymnast's weight is supported by the arms
2. the way a garment hangs
   • he adjusted the hang of his coat
3. a special way of doing something
   • he had a bent for it
   • he had a special knack for getting into trouble
   • he couldn't get the hang of it

Verb

1. suspend (meat) in order to get a gamey taste
   • hang the venison for a few days
2. place in position as by a hinge so as to allow free movement in one direction
   • hang a door
3. be placed in position as by a hinge
   • This cabinet door doesn't hang right!
4. decorate or furnish with something suspended
   • Hang wallpaper
5. prevent from reaching a verdict, of a jury
6. be exhibited
   • Picasso hangs in this new wing of the museum
7. hold on tightly or tenaciously
   • hang on to your father's hands
   • The child clung to his mother's apron
8. be suspended or poised
   • Heavy fog hung over the valley
9. give heed (to)
   • The children in the audience attended the recital quietly
   • She hung on his every word
   • They attended to everything he said
10. be menacing, burdensome, or oppressive
    • This worry hangs on my mind
    • The cloud of suspicion hangs over her
11. fall or flow in a certain way
    • This dress hangs well
    • Her long black hair flowed down her back
12. let drop or droop
    • Hang one's head in shame
13. kill by hanging
    • The murderer was hanged on Friday
14. cause to be hanging or suspended
    • Hang that picture on the wall
15. be suspended or hanging
    • The flag hung on the wall