Your dictionary is right. 'Hang about' can have the same meaning as 'Hang on'. In British English, it can have the same meaning as 'hang around' - as in 'loiter' - that Paul describes. It can also mean 'wait', often in the sense of 'waste time'. Here's an example. A: "Had any news from Bob lately? Did he ask that girl out? You know, the one from the really rich family?" B: "Yeah. Her dad's a millionaire. They're getting married next month, actually" A: "Blimey! He didn't hang about much, did he?" It's also possible to say 'Hang about!' meaning 'Wait a moment!', especially if there's a problem. Here's another example: A: "Look! There's a email here from a Nigerian prince who says he'd like to lend me some money interest-free. I just need to give him my bank details. I'm going to do that right now." B: "Hang about! That looks a bit dodgy" [I'm deliberately using British vernacular here] The first example seems natural to me, while the second has a colloquial and slightly old-fashioned feel to it. But it is something that you will often here in British English contexts, and I suspect in Aus/NZ ones, too. It would be interesting to hear what other members think.

It is an extremely common expression in the UK. Example: There was a group of lads hanging about at the top of the street last night. It just means they were there at the top of the street last night. Although often it has a negative connotation (i.e maybe these people were unwanted, or perhaps engaging in antisocial behaviour.) So yeah, it means 'hanging around', I suppose although I do feel there is a subtle difference in the meaning. If you're hanging around, you do it for a reason. There is no purpose to 'hanging about', the people are just there.

Hi Ann, "Hang about" is most likely a regional slang term and not a general English term that's used in standard English. I'm not sure which regions use "hang about" (if any at all); we certainly don't say that here in California.

I believe "hang about" is British English for "to hang around" or perhaps "hang out."

If you hang about on Italki long enough, you will learn a lot of good English!