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

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

But Mr Mohammad does not want to linger on the suffering and is already busy making fresh improvements to the house and his life.

From BBC

As the streets are cleared of Maccabi Ultras stickers and tensions linger, there is concern about the damage done to relations between Amsterdam’s Jewish and Muslim communities.

From BBC

Related Words

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