linger

[ ling-ger ]

verb (used without object)

1. 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.

   Synonyms: loiter, tarry

2. 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.

3. to dwell in contemplation, thought, or enjoyment:

   to linger over the beauty of a painting.

4. to be tardy in action; delay; dawdle:

   to linger in discharging one's duties.

   Synonyms: tarry

5. to walk slowly; saunter along.

   Synonyms: loiter

verb (used with object)

1. 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.

2. Archaic. to draw out or protract.

linger

/ ˈlɪŋɡə /

verb

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

Derived Forms

• ˈlingeringly, adverb
• ˈlingerer, noun
• ˈlingering, adjective

Other Words From

• 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

Word History and Origins

Origin of linger¹

First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English lengeren “to dwell, remain,” literally, “to delay repeatedly,” from lengen, Old English lengan “to delay, lengthen, prolong”; long ¹, -er ⁶

Word History and Origins

Origin of linger¹

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

Example Sentences

Also the lingering effects of the strike and what that posed for this season.

From Los Angeles Times

Glen Powell — “Hit Man” “You know how much ‘Sing Sing’ director Greg Kwedar trusts and values Colman Domingo by the number of times he lets the camera linger on his expression.

From Los Angeles Times

There are "lingering issues" surrounding these graft scandals - ones that the current electorate will "remember", Mr Cudjoe said.

From BBC

And those lingering impacts include some that run contrary to the goals of the policies.

From Science Daily

In its neglect, it unwittingly allowed the floodgates of far-right rhetoric to burst open, giving a voice and platform to ideologies that once lingered in the corners of society.

From Salon

Related Words

• dawdle
• drift
• idle
• remain
• stay
• stick around
• wait