Phrasal verb
hang out
Definition
phrasal verb. To spend time relaxing with friends or in a place without a specific plan. You use this when you are just enjoying someone's company.
phrasal verb. To spend time in an informal, unstructured manner in a specific location or with companions. The verb is typically intransitive, though it frequently takes a prepositional complement to specify the social context.
Examples
“I usually hang out with my friends at the park.”
“Instead of going to a fancy restaurant, we decided to just hang out at home and order some pizza.”
“The youth of the village would often hang out by the old stone bridge, sharing stories and watching the river flow toward the distant valley.”
Examples
simple
“I usually hang out with my friends at the park.”
contextual
“Instead of going to a fancy restaurant, we decided to just hang out at home and order some pizza.”
complex
“The youth of the village would often hang out by the old stone bridge, sharing stories and watching the river flow toward the distant valley.”
Usage
Commonly followed by 'with' for people or 'at' for places.
Teaching tip
Contrast this with 'spend time', which is more general; 'hang out' specifically implies leisure and a lack of a formal agenda.
Pitfall
I like to hang out my friends.
I like to hang out with my friends.
The preposition 'with' is required when you mention the people you are spending time with.
Phrasal verb
Particles
out
Separability
inseparable
Pattern
hang + out
Synonyms
Antonyms
Grammar
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B1 PreliminaryIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.4.0–5.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 3.0–3.544–71TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.550–784
- Level
- B1 · Intermediate
- Updated
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