linger

[ ling-ger ]
/ ˈlɪŋ gər /

verb (used without object)

verb (used with object)

to pass (time, life, etc.) in a leisurely or a tedious manner (usually followed by away or out): We lingered away the whole summer at the beach.
Archaic. to draw out or protract.

Origin of linger

1250–1300; Middle English lengeren to dwell, remain (somewhere), frequentative of lengen, Old English lengan to delay, prolong, literally, lengthen. See long1, -er6

SYNONYMS FOR linger

1, 4 tarry.
1, 5 loiter.

OTHER WORDS FROM linger

Example sentences from the Web for linger

British Dictionary definitions for linger

linger
/ (ˈlɪŋɡə) /

verb (mainly intr)

to delay or prolong departure
to go in a slow or leisurely manner; saunter
to remain just alive for some time prior to death
to persist or continue, esp in the mind
to be slow to act; dither; procrastinate

Derived forms of linger

lingerer, noun lingering, adjective lingeringly, adverb

Word Origin for linger

C13 (northern dialect) lengeren to dwell, from lengen to prolong, from Old English lengan; related to Old Norse lengja; see long 1