Linger

Quick meaning: Linger is a verb meaning (intransitive) To stay or remain in a place or situation, especially as if unwilling to depart or not easily able to do so.

Meaning

(intransitive) To stay or remain in a place or situation, especially as if unwilling to depart or not easily able to do so.

More Meanings

1. (intransitive) To remain alive or existent although still proceeding toward death or extinction; to die gradually.
2. (intransitive, idiomatic, often followed by on) To consider or contemplate for a period of time; to engage in analytic thinking or discussion.

Example Sentences

Still more foole I ſhall appeare / By the time I linger here

He lingered through the day, and died that evening as the sun went down.

His tone lingered in the air, almost like the tone of a musical instrument.

During his absence the queen fell ill, and after lingering for some time she died.

Word Forms

• lingers
• lingering
• lingered

Synonyms for linger

Depending on context, synonyms include abide, loiter, tarry, eld, retard, stay.

Antonyms for linger

Common opposites include rush, race, hie, speed, hotfoot, hasten.

Related Words

Related dictionary entries include tarry, hang around, loiter, lurk, lounge, dawdle.

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