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

Research by Rawlins’ colleague Jennifer Francis suggests that a quickly warming Arctic may be slowing those waves, causing short-term weather systems to linger.

From Slate

“Our stores will be inviting places to linger, with comfortable seating, thoughtful design and a clear distinction between ‘to-go’ and ‘for-here’ service.

From Salon

The sequence crystallizes James’ early-on warning that this would be a tour about pain and, although Eisenberg as a filmmaker doesn’t linger at the heartbreaking site, it has an outsized effect on the action, as well as on everyone’s emotions, especially Benji’s.

From Los Angeles Times

She lingers on articulating the word safe the way Jews linger on the final word of the central declaration of God’s unity in the Shema prayer, echad, which means “one.”

From Slate

You can’t linger on the word safe without lingering on the word one, but the central declaration of faith is not in one person.

From Slate

Related Words

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