dangling else

noun

A potential ambiguity in a programming language that occurs when an else clause can be associated with either a nested conditional or with the clause that encloses the nested conditional.

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Meanings

noundangling else (plural dangling elses)

plural dangling elses

  1. computingA potential ambiguity in a programming language that occurs when an else clause can be associated with either a nested conditional or with the clause that encloses the nested conditional.
Cite this entry
APA

dangling else. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 3, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/dangling%20else

MLA

“dangling else.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/dangling%20else. Accessed November 3, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “dangling else,” accessed November 3, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/dangling%20else.

Source: dangling else on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.