Hangouts

Hangouts are informal social gatherings among friends or acquaintances, or the times and places where people choose to spend relaxed, unstructured time together. The term can describe both in-person meetups—such as meeting at a cafe, park, or someone’s home—and online interactions where participants chat, call, or video conference. The concept emphasizes casual, voluntary socializing rather than formal events or obligations.

The phrase hang out originates from the sense of lingering or spending time in a place. In everyday use, it implies choosing to socialize without a fixed agenda, allowing conversations and activities to unfold spontaneously. Cultural norms around hangouts can vary by group, but common elements include mutual consent, comfortable settings, and a focus on social connection.

In the realm of digital communication, the word has been used as a product name by Google. Google Hangouts, introduced in 2013, offered text messaging, voice calls, and video meetings across devices. Over time, Google shifted its services toward Google Chat and Google Meet, integrating much of Hangouts’ functionality. The standalone Hangouts app for consumers was phased out in the early 2020s, while business users saw continued migration to the newer tools. This reflects a broader trend toward streamlined, interoperable communication platforms that support both casual online hangouts and formal virtual meetings.

See also: social gathering, meetup, online communication, video chat.