Sound-alike words
Hangar vs. Hanger
Hangar, with an a, is a large building where aircraft are kept. Hanger, with an e, is the frame you hang clothes on. Planes sit in a hangar; shirts go on a hanger.
| Word | Part of speech | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| hangar | noun | a large building where aircraft are kept, cleaned and repaired |
| hanger | noun | a shaped frame of wire, wood or plastic for hanging clothes |
Hangar
noun: a large building where aircraft are kept, cleaned and repaired
- The small planes are stored in a hangar during the winter.
- Our class toured an old hangar at the air museum.
Hanger
noun: a shaped frame of wire, wood or plastic for hanging clothes
- Put your coat on a hanger so it doesn't wrinkle.
- The closet was full of empty hangers.
How to remember the difference
Hangar has an a, like aircraft and airplane. Hanger has an e, like the dress or sweater you hang on it.
Good to know
Hanger can also mean a person who hangs things, such as a wallpaper hanger, and it appears in words like cliffhanger.
Spot the mistake
The jet was towed into the
hangerhangar for repairs.Correct: The jet was towed into the hangar for repairs.
Check yourself
Pick the word that fits each sentence.
1. Hang your new suit on a wooden .
Answer: hanger. This is the frame for hanging clothes, so hanger with an e fits.
2. The helicopter stays in the when storms are coming.
Answer: hangar. This is the building where aircraft are kept, so hangar with an a fits.