linger

[ ling-ger ]

/ ˈlɪŋ gər /

SEE SYNONYMS FOR linger ON THESAURUS.COM

verb (used without object)

to remain or stay on in a place longer than is usual or expected, as if from reluctance to leave: We lingered awhile after the party.

to remain alive; continue or persist, although gradually dying, ceasing, disappearing, etc.: She lingered a few months after the heart attack. Such practices still linger among the older natives.

to dwell in contemplation, thought, or enjoyment: to linger over the beauty of a painting.

to be tardy in action; delay; dawdle: to linger in discharging one's duties.

to walk slowly; saunter along.

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.

SEE SYNONYMS FOR linger ON THESAURUS.COM

OTHER WORDS FROM linger

lin·ger·er, noun lin·ger·ing·ly, adverb out·lin·ger, verb (used with object) o·ver·lin·ger, verb (used without object)

un·lin·ger·ing, adjective

Words nearby linger

lingam, lingayat, lingayata, lingayen gulf, lingcod, linger, lingerie, lingo, lingoe, lingonberry, lingua

Example sentences from the Web for lingering

Occasional, more traditional efforts have met with success—the Big Apple Circus and lingering smaller acts.

We’re All Carnies Now: Why We Can’t Quit the Circus |Anthony Paletta |November 27, 2014 |DAILY BEAST
Was there lingering resentment over you choosing your wife over Lauryn?

Wyclef Jean Talks Lauryn Hill, the Yele Haiti Controversy, and Chris Christie |Marlow Stern |November 20, 2014 |DAILY BEAST
In the midst of that fierce winter, Anna fell ill, developing a nasty, lingering cough.

‘The Harness Maker’s Dream:’ The Unlikely Ranch King of Texas |Nick Kotz |September 20, 2014 |DAILY BEAST
So why is that such a lingering stereotype in the way pop culture represents Hollywood?

Amy Sedaris Is Hollywood's Beloved Rabbit-Loving Comedian Crafter |Kevin Fallon |August 28, 2014 |DAILY BEAST

Of course, one of the lingering questions is which Simpsons will be shown?

A 200-Hour ‘Simpsons’ Marathon? That’s Unpossible! |Rich Goldstein |July 24, 2014 |DAILY BEAST
Meanwhile Edward and Cytherea, after lingering on the steps for several minutes, slowly descended the slope to the lake.

Desperate Remedies |Thomas Hardy
She bowed to him slightly, her eye just lingering in his; and then she turned to take the parcels for departure.

Tess of the d'Urbervilles |Thomas Hardy
She spoke the name with such a lingering sweetness as made its owner thrill with a new pleasure.

There and Back |George MacDonald
At the door he turned, and looked back at the two—a long, lingering look he gave.

The Money Master, Complete |Gilbert Parker
After a lingering illness, he died on the 10th of May 1801, in his twenty-fifth year.

The Modern Scottish Minstrel, Volume II. |Various

British Dictionary definitions for lingering

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

BROWSE DICTIONARY

Learning

linger

verb (used without object)

verb (used with object)

Origin of linger

SYNONYMS FOR linger

OTHER WORDS FROM linger

Words nearby linger

Example sentences from the Web for lingering

British Dictionary definitions for lingering

verb (mainly intr)

Derived forms of linger

Word Origin for linger

BROWSE DICTIONARY

Learning

linger

verb (used without object)

verb (used with object)

Origin of linger

SYNONYMS FOR linger

OTHER WORDS FROM linger

Words nearby linger

Words related to lingering

Example sentences from the Web for lingering

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []) .push({}); British Dictionary definitions for lingering

verb (mainly intr)

Derived forms of linger

Word Origin for linger

British Dictionary definitions for lingering