dangling

[ˈdæŋɡəlɪŋ(ɡ)]

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dangle

A dangling object is something that's hanging loosely from somewhere.

When we talk about objects being hung or attached somehow, "dangling" often comes up. You might see a decorative mobile with little objects dangling from it, making it look pretty and interesting. Or imagine walking through the woods on a rope bridge where some parts of the bridge are just dangling in mid-air. People also use "dangling" to describe loose ends or parts that aren't properly secured – like a wire dangling from an outlet or a piece of clothing that's not sewn on right, so it dangles down. The word can even be used for something being suspended in time, like when someone is stuck between two roles or states and feels a bit lost.

How common is "dangling"?

Word dangling is considered rare in modern English.
It appears most frequently in fiction texts and less often in other writings.

Definitions

verb

To hang loosely with the ability to swing.
Example: His feet would dangle in the water.
The action of performing a move or deke with the puck in order to get past a defender or goalie; perhaps because of the resemblance to dangling the puck on a string.
Example: He dangled around three players and the goalie to score.
To hang or trail something loosely.
Example: I like to sit on the edge and dangle my feet in the water.
To trail or follow around.
Of a patient: to be positioned with the legs hanging over the edge of the bed.
To position (a patient) in this way.

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noun

The act of hanging something so that it can move freely; suspension.
The act of following or trailing around.
All out, open throttle, with all you have.

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adjective

Suspended from above.

Real examples of "dangling" in context

Macaulay Culkin on His Kids Not Knowing He’s Kevin in Home Alone, Joe Pesci Biting Him & Not Driving

Interview

So I'm dangling there.

3:31