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

“The Life of a Showgirl” looks forward to a happy relationship and bright future, though the old Taylor, the one who holds grudges and resents the celebrity machine, lingers.

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Perhaps the Lyceum Speech has lingered outside the main Lincoln canon because it does not sound like the man Eric Foner, a historian, has called “Our Lincoln.”

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Expectations for an imminent interest-rate increase have been growing as the central bank attempts to balance persistent inflation with lingering uncertainties, including the impact of higher U.S. tariffs.

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After a long stretch when inventory lingered below historical norms, the number of homes for sale has climbed in recent months.

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Officials largely agreed that a recent slowdown in job growth outweighed lingering concerns over sticky inflation when they cut their benchmark rate by a quarter-point last month, to a range between 4% and 4.25%.

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Related Words

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