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

His unusual request raised eyebrows in Germany, where dark memories of the Berlin Wall linger on.

From The Daily Beast

Cuomo was asked to show up an hour early, but he evidently did not want to linger at the debate site.

From The Daily Beast

One Republican consultant wondered how long Bridgegate will linger.

From The Daily Beast

And when they linger open for just a few seconds longer than usual, it signals a dreaded delay.

From The Daily Beast

For a writer who was a master of reduction, never one to linger on the passing view, this was an unusually effulgent paragraph.

From The Daily Beast

They didn't linger long at Benton, but got under way and marched overland to the Cypress Hills.

From Project Gutenberg

As she said the last word, she looked at Baroudi, and her voice seemed to linger on the word as on a word beloved.

From Project Gutenberg

But one would linger long on the way if hePg 83 paused at every landmark on the Southampton road.

From Project Gutenberg

It is better to leave while all will regret you, than to linger on until you have worn out your welcome.

From Project Gutenberg

Of no part of our tour does a pleasanter memory linger than of the five or six hundred miles on the highways of Wales.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

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