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 orout ).

   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

Other Word Forms

• lingerer noun
• lingeringly adverb
• outlinger verb (used with object)
• overlinger verb (used without object)
• unlingering adjective
• lingering 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

OTTAWA—After a drop in trade in September, flat sales seen by Canadian retailers last month point to cracks in the consumers’ resilience as the fallout from the trade war with the U.S. lingers.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Business activity continued to grow in the eurozone in November, albeit at a slightly slower pace, hurt by lingering weakness in the manufacturing sector.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Although the perception lingers that violent crime is rampant in Los Angeles, statistically speaking murder is less common that it has been in decades.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

“This underscores the lingering fragility of the labor market,” ANZ says.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Some sellers are being forced to drop prices to lure reluctant buyers and houses are lingering on the market for longer.

Read more on MarketWatch

Related Words

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