cling
1 Americanverb (used without object)
-
to adhere closely; stick to.
The wet paper clings to the glass.
-
to hold tight, as by grasping or embracing; cleave.
The children clung to each other in the dark.
-
to be or remain close.
The child clung to her mother's side.
-
to remain attached, as to an idea, hope, memory, etc..
Despite the predictions, the candidate clung to the belief that he would be elected.
-
to cohere.
noun
noun
verb
-
(often foll by to) to hold fast or adhere closely (to something), as by gripping or sticking
-
(foll by together) to remain in contact (with each other)
-
to be or remain physically or emotionally close
to cling to outmoded beliefs
noun
-
agriculture the tendency of cotton fibres in a sample to stick to each other
-
obsolete agriculture diarrhoea or scouring in animals
-
short for clingstone
Other Word Forms
Etymology
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)
Explanation
To cling is to tightly grasp something or to stick closely to something, like how wet clothes cling to the wearer. Clinging has to do with closeness. A scared child will cling to his parent, holding on tight. People in love cling to one another in embraces. When you're on a roller coaster, it's best to cling to whatever restraint you can. Similarly, things cling to each other when they're hard to separate. Clothes fresh out of the dryer often cling to each other. Strands of cooked spaghetti cling to each other. Stretchy clothing like spandex clings to the bodies of the people who wear it.
Vocabulary lists containing cling
Unit 1: Telling Details
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
Nehru's "Tryst with Destiny" Speech
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
Ship Breaker
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The increase in temperature will not happen quickly, with chilly air expected to cling on for the next few days.
From BBC • May 13, 2026
Even after losing three games by an average of 19.6 points per game, the Lakers still cling to some hope.
From Los Angeles Times • May 10, 2026
“There are so few moments I’ve completely nailed in parenthood. This is one of them, and I cling to it.”
From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 15, 2026
People cling to previous technological habits even when there’s a better alternative, like the time it took for flip phones to disappear after the advent of the smartphone.
From MarketWatch • Mar. 5, 2026
I am a soldier, I must cling to that.
From "All Quiet on the Western Front: A Novel" by Erich Maria Remarque
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
