cling

¹

[ kling ]

verb (used without object)

, clung [kluhng], cling·ing.

1. to adhere closely; stick to:

   The wet paper clings to the glass.

2. to hold tight, as by grasping or embracing; cleave:

   The children clung to each other in the dark.

   Synonyms: hug, grab, clutch

3. to be or remain close:

   The child clung to her mother's side.

4. to remain attached, as to an idea, hope, memory, etc.:

   Despite the predictions, the candidate clung to the belief that he would be elected.

5. to cohere.

noun

1. the act of clinging; adherence; attachment.

cling

²

[ kling ]

noun

1. a clingstone.

cling

/ klɪŋ /

verb

1. often foll by to to hold fast or adhere closely (to something), as by gripping or sticking
2. foll by together to remain in contact (with each other)
3. to be or remain physically or emotionally close

   to cling to outmoded beliefs

noun

1. agriculture the tendency of cotton fibres in a sample to stick to each other
2. obsolete.
   agriculture diarrhoea or scouring in animals
3. short for clingstone

Derived Forms

• ˈclingingly, adverb
• ˈclingy, adjective
• ˈclinginess, noun
• ˈclinging, adjective
• ˈclinger, noun

Other Words From

• clinger noun
• clinging·ly adverb
• clinging·ness noun
• un·clinging adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of cling¹

First recorded before 900; Middle English clingen, Old English clingan “to stick together, shrink, wither”; akin to clench

Origin of cling²

1835–45; by shortening from clingstone, or special use of cling ¹ (noun)

Word History and Origins

Origin of cling¹

Old English clingan; related to clench

Example Sentences

Over the eight years that have passed since, with another million-reader viral essay but many zeros less in my bank account, I've abandoned a phrase I used to cling to: That the good you put out in the world will come back to you.

From Salon

Harden had 24 points but missed a free throw with 28.7 seconds left, forcing the Clippers to cling to a two-point lead.

From Los Angeles Times

Less than six months ago, the oldest sitting president in U.S. history appeared so befuddled during a debate that his barely younger, twice impeached, convicted felon predecessor — a man who stands federally accused of orchestrating a complex criminal scheme to violently cling to power the last time he lost it — seemed poised to reclaim the White House with ease.

From Los Angeles Times

The Gunners really need a win here to cling on to the tail of leaders Manchester City, but my gut feeling is that Newcastle will get something out of this game, and it has got a draw written all over it.

From BBC

And so we cling to democracy because we have nothing else.

From Slate

Related Words

• adhere
• clasp
• fasten