# dangle

> English word · Verb · IPA /ˈdæŋ.ɡ(ə)l/ · frequency rank #31,944

## Definitions
1. To hang loosely with the ability to swing.
2. 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.
3. To hang or trail something loosely.
4. To put forth as a possibility.
5. To trail or follow around.
6. Of a patient: to be positioned with the legs hanging over the edge of the bed.
7. To position (a patient) in this way.

## Etymology
Uncertain, but likely of North Germanic origin, akin to Danish dingle, dangle, Swedish dangla (“to swing about”), Norwegian dangla, perhaps via North Frisian dangeln; all possibly related to Old Norse dengja (“to hit”).

## Easily confused with
- **Dante** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/dangle-vs-dante)
- **Danube** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/dangle-vs-danube)
- **dazzle** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/dangle-vs-dazzle)
- **dengue** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/dangle-vs-dengue)
- **dingle** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/dangle-vs-dingle)
- **dongle** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/dangle-vs-dongle)
- **Daniele** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/dangle-vs-daniele)
- **dale** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/dale-vs-dangle)
- **dang** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/dang-vs-dangle)
- **Dane** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/dane-vs-dangle)
- **dance** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/dance-vs-dangle)
- **danger** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/danger-vs-dangle)
- **dabble** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/dabble-vs-dangle)

## Common misspellings (9)
`adngle`, `dagnle`, `dangel`, `danggle`, `danglle`, `danlge`, `danngle`, `ddangle`, `dnagle`

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/dangle