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

Even as things opened up, the memory of that disorientation lingered, like a bad hangover.

From Salon

That changed around 2008 or 2009, when the horses began lingering at lower elevations, where the open country makes it difficult for lions to hunt.

From Los Angeles Times

Yet the ghost of Liz Truss lingers: despite their best efforts to politely disown her, the Conservatives' opponents will probably never lose their appetite for reminding voters of the calamity of her brief premiership.

From BBC

One video taken by local activists and posted on the messaging app Telegram shows the camera lingering over bloodied corpses lined side-by-side on the ground.

From Los Angeles Times

"I definitely suffered with it after the first week, like sore throat, runny nose, those typical symptoms, and it does linger for quite a while."

From BBC

Related Words

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