Pronunciation: [hˈaŋɡa͡ʊt] (IPA) 
The word 'hangout' is a combination of two words: 'hang' and 'out'. It refers to a place where people spend time, usually with friends. The spelling of this word follows the English orthographic rules, where the 'h' is silent and the 'a' is pronounced as /æ/. The 'ng' cluster is pronounced as /ŋ/, and the 'ou' combination is pronounced as /aʊ/. The final 't' is pronounced as /t/, making the IPA transcription of 'hangout': /ˈhæŋ.aʊt/.
Hangout is a noun that refers to a place where one regularly spends time with friends or acquaintances for socializing or leisure activities. It is a casual, relaxed setting, often informal and comfortable, where individuals can meet up, engage in conversations, and enjoy each other's company.
As a verb, hangout describes the act of spending time with others in such a place or engaging in social activities. It implies the intention of being in a specific location to socialize, unwind, or simply spend leisure time. Hangout can also be used to denote the action of gathering in a particular spot or meeting point, typically agreed upon in advance.
A hangout can take various forms, such as cafes, bars, parks, malls, or even someone's home. It serves as a common ground for individuals to relax, have fun, or engage in hobbies and shared interests. The atmosphere of a hangout is often seen as laid-back, fostering a sense of comfort and familiarity among those present.
In contemporary culture, the term "hangout" has been further bolstered by the rise of virtual social platforms, where people can come together and interact online. These digital hangouts allow individuals to connect with friends or like-minded individuals in a virtual space, enabling them to share experiences, engage in conversations, and collaborate on common interests through video calls, chat rooms, or online forums.
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
The word "hangout" originated in the early 19th century, and its etymology is a combination of two separate words.
1. "Hang" - This word derives from the Old English word "hangian", which means "to be suspended or attached". In the context of "hangout", it refers to spending time idly or casually.
2. "Out" - This word comes from the Middle English word "outen" or "uten", which means "outside" or "outward". In the context of "hangout", it implies a gathering or a place where people spend time together.
Combining these two words gave birth to the word "hangout", which is used to describe a place or a social setting where individuals come together, spend time, and engage in social activities.
