Definition of hang out

Short definition: The phrase hang out means spending time with friends or other people in a relaxed and informal way. It is often used to describe casual activities like talking, eating, or just enjoying time together.

Looking for a clear and natural explanation of the phrase hang out? The phrase hang out is very common in everyday English and is mostly used to talk about spending time with friends in a relaxed and informal way. You will often hear it in conversations about free time, social life, and casual plans. Because of this, hang out feels friendly and natural, especially in spoken English. Below, each meaning is explained in a simple and human way, so it feels easy to use in real life.

Forms: hang out, hangs out, hung out, hanging out
Related: hangout n., socialize v.
Syllable: hang out

1. To spend time with someone in a relaxed way.

   To hang out means to spend time together casually, without a strict plan. Friends hang out to talk, laugh, watch movies, or just enjoy each other’s company. It is more about being together than doing something important.

   We usually hang out after school.
   She loves to hang out with her friends on weekends.
   They just want to hang out and relax today.

   Synonyms: spend time together, chill together, socialize, relax with friends, get together, meet up, have fun together, enjoy time together, stay together casually, be together, pass time together, chill out
   Antonyms: work seriously, study alone, isolate, stay apart, be busy, focus on tasks, separate, avoid people, keep distance, be alone, disconnect, withdraw

2. To stay in a place without doing much.

   Sometimes hang out simply means staying in one place. You might hang out at a café, a park, or a friend’s house, just enjoying the time and atmosphere. This meaning focuses on being there, not on being busy.

   They like to hang out at the mall after class.
   He often hangs out at the library.
   We hung out at home all day.

   Synonyms: stay around, spend time somewhere, relax in a place, chill at a spot, be around, stay put, sit around, pass time, linger, remain casually, stay nearby, hang around
   Antonyms: rush, hurry away, leave quickly, go straight home, avoid staying, move on fast, be busy elsewhere, depart early, keep moving, not stop, stay productive, work nonstop

3. To be part of someone’s social circle.

   People also say they hang out with a certain group to show who they spend time with. It describes friendship patterns and social connections. This meaning is about belonging.

   She hangs out with her coworkers now.
   He started to hang out with new friends.
   They hang out in the same circle.

   Synonyms: spend time with, socialize with, be friends with, mix with, stay with, connect with, be around, join a group, belong with, move in a circle, spend time socially, stay connected
   Antonyms: avoid people, stay alone, isolate, keep distance, stay away, disconnect socially, avoid groups, be isolated, cut ties, stay separate, withdraw socially, be distant

4. A phrase that shows a casual lifestyle.

   Hang out is often used to describe a relaxed way of life. When people talk about hanging out, they usually mean enjoying free time without pressure or stress. This meaning is about balance and ease.

   Summer is for just hanging out.
   He prefers to hang out instead of making strict plans.
   They spent the holiday hanging out.

   Synonyms: live casually, relax freely, take it easy, enjoy free time, chill lifestyle, stress-free living, slow down, unwind, laid-back living, easygoing style, calm routine, relaxed pace
   Antonyms: busy lifestyle, stressful routine, strict schedule, pressure-filled life, rush around, overwork, nonstop activity, tense living, hard routine, tight schedule, demanding life, hectic pace

5. A friendly way to invite someone.

   People often use hang out when inviting others. Saying “Do you want to hang out?” sounds friendly and casual. It makes plans feel easy and natural.

   Do you want to hang out after work?
   She asked him to hang out this weekend.
   They decided to hang out later tonight.

   Synonyms: invite casually, ask to meet, suggest meeting, ask to spend time, friendly invite, casual plan, easy invite, relaxed invitation, simple meet-up, no-pressure invite, social ask, hangout invite
   Antonyms: formal invitation, official meeting, strict appointment, business meeting, serious invite, work request, formal request, scheduled duty, official gathering, professional meeting, task-based invite, rigid plan