Meaning

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

Definitions by Sense

1. (intransitive) To stay or remain in a place or situation, especially as if unwilling to depart or not easily able to do so.
2. (intransitive) To remain alive or existent although still proceeding toward death or extinction; to die gradually.
3. (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

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

She lingered in the window until the windy sunset died in bat-colored dusk; then, going to bed, she lay sleepless all night.

Stars fading but I linger on, dear / Still craving your kiss / I'm longin' to linger till dawn, dear / Just saying this

It takes into account […] predictions of how long radioactive contaminants will linger in the soil and water near the nuclear facility.

Mrs. Clinton’s main opponent, Senator Bernie Sanders, a self-described Democratic Socialist, has proved to be more formidable than most people, including Mrs. Clinton, anticipated. He has brought income inequality and the lingering pain of the middle class to center stage and pushed Mrs. Clinton a bit more to the left than she might have gone on economic issues.

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

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

Word Forms

• lingers
• lingering
• lingered

Synonyms for linger

Antonyms for linger

Related Words

When Should You Use Linger?

Use linger when its meaning, tone and grammar fit the full sentence. A synonym is not always a direct replacement.

Practice This Word

Frequently Asked Questions