English Dictionary

Definition of “dangle

dangle (ˈdæŋɡəllPronunciation for dangle

Definitions

verb

  1. to hang or cause to hang freely  ⇒ his legs dangled over the wall 
  2. (tr) to display as an enticement  ⇒ the hope of a legacy was dangled before her 

noun

  1. the act of dangling or something that dangles

Alternative Forms

ˈdangler noun ˈdanglingly adverb

Word Origin

C16: perhaps from Danish dangle, probably of imitative origin

Synonyms

View thesaurus entry
= offer, flourish, brandish, flaunt, tempt someone with lure someone with entice someone with tantalize someone with

Usage examples

  • He continued holding the keys, allowing them to dangle from his index finger as he stood regarding me through the hatch.
    Magnus Mills, THE SCHEME FOR FULL EMPLOYMENT (2003)
  • In the meantime, Byl can dangle one tantalising preliminary result, still unpublished.
    New Scientist (1999)
  • After the loan sharks dangle him out the window and set fire to his laptop computer, he decides it's time to buckle down to work.
    Globe and Mail (2003)
  • Two people dangle upside down on ropes, two more are balancing on Chinese poles.
    Times, Sunday Times (2002)
  • The helmet didn't fit, so I let it dangle from its strap over my shoulder.
    Matthews, Caitlin & Matthews, John, Hallowquest - tarot magic and the Arthurian mysteries (1990)

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