Hangout Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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hangout

[ˈhæŋˌaʊt ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Noun}

socializing with friends

A place where people can gather to socialize, relax, and have fun together. It is typically a casual setting where individuals can hang out, chat, play games, or simply enjoy each other's company.

Synonyms

gathering spot, haunt, meeting place.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
hangout	Used informally to describe a casual place where people, especially friends, frequently gather to relax and have a good time. The mall was our favorite hangout after school. Let's meet at our usual hangout and grab some coffee.
meeting place	Used to designate a location where people arrange to meet, often for business or formal purposes. The conference room is a common meeting place for the company's staff. The town square has served as a meeting place for the community for centuries.
gathering spot	Used to describe a specific location where people come together for a particular purpose or social event. The park is a popular gathering spot for families on weekends. This café has become a gathering spot for local artists.
haunt	Often used to describe a familiar place frequently visited by someone, can have a slightly negative or ghostly connotation. The old bar was a haunt for writers and poets. She found herself back at her old haunt by the river, reminiscing about the past.

Examples of usage

We went to our favorite hangout after work to unwind.
The coffee shop is a popular hangout spot for students.

^{Context #2 | Verb}

spending time together informally

To spend time with friends or acquaintances in a relaxed and informal manner. It often involves engaging in activities such as watching movies, playing sports, or just hanging out without any specific agenda.

Synonyms

chill, relax, socialize.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
hangout	Use when talking about spending casual and social time with friends, typically in informal settings. We should hangout at the new café this weekend. After school, the kids like to hangout at the park.
chill	Usually used in informal contexts to mean relaxing and doing nothing stressful. Often implies a laid-back atmosphere. Let's just chill at home tonight. We spent the afternoon chilling by the pool.
socialize	Used in contexts where interacting with others, often new people, is the focus. It can be slightly more formal. The conference was a great place to socialize with colleagues. He's very shy and finds it hard to socialize at parties.
relax	Typically used when talking about taking it easy, often after hard work or stress. It can be used in more formal or informal situations. She likes to relax with a good book after a long day. We needed to relax after the intense meeting.

Examples of usage

We decided to hang out at the park for the afternoon.
She enjoys hanging out with her friends on the weekends.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Pop Culture

The concept of a 'hangout' spot is popular in movies, often depicted as a central gathering area for friends, like in 'The Breakfast Club.'
Online, 'hangouts' became synonymous with video chat services, notably Google Hangouts, which allowed friends to gather virtually.
The rise of social media has transformed how people find hangouts, with apps like Meetup connecting people with common interests.

Psychology

Spending time with friends in relaxed settings can improve mental health and strengthen social bonds.
Research shows that casual interactions can boost feelings of happiness and reduce stress levels significantly.
Adult friendships, often cultivated in hangout settings, are associated with lower rates of loneliness and better overall well-being.

Social Dynamics

Hangouts often reflect cultural norms, with different groups favoring different settings, from cafés to parks to home basements.
They serve as informal networking venues where ideas can flow freely, and collaborations spark among peers.
In teen culture, hangouts can be a rite of passage, marking the transition from childhood to adolescence.

Technology

The advent of mobile apps has made finding and organizing hangouts easier, with many people coordinating through social platforms.
Virtual hangouts have surged in popularity, especially during the pandemic, using platforms like Zoom and Discord for online gatherings.
Gamers often use 'hangout' to refer to in-game meetings where players team up and socialize outside of formal gameplay.

Origin of 'hangout'

Main points about word origin

The term 'hangout' first appeared in English in the late 19th century, originally referring to a place where one 'hangs out' or stays.
It combines 'hang,' which means to remain in a place, with 'out,' suggesting a more relaxed atmosphere.
Over time, its meaning evolved to embrace informal socializing spots, particularly in youth culture.

The term 'hangout' originated in the 1950s in the United States. It was initially used to describe a place where people could gather, relax, and socialize casually. Over time, the word has evolved to also refer to the act of spending time together informally. Today, 'hangout' is commonly used in everyday language to describe a favorite spot or activity where individuals can enjoy each other's company.

See also: hang, hanging, hangings, hangman, overhang, overhanging.