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

Having taken the lead in the second minute, Ireland were never behind but, after failure to score in the second half, ended the contest against 14 men clinging on to a slender 22-19 advantage.

From BBC

I've clung to the promise of democracy in the hope that small changes could nudge us there.

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

When you engage one of the many excellent rescue groups around the country, you will find there are clingy cats or aloof cats, energetic cats or lazy cats, stubborn cats or people pleasers.

From Salon

The Redondo Beach Harbor Patrol received a distress call just after 1 p.m. reporting a boat had overturned and the people on board were in the water clinging to it.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• adhere
• clasp
• fasten