linger
LIHNG-guh
Linger (verb) means to stay in a place longer than necessary, often reluctant to leave. Example: “We lingered over coffee long after the meal was finished.”
verb
1
To stay in a place longer than necessary, often reluctant to leave.
"We lingered over coffee long after the meal was finished."
"A faint smell of smoke lingered in the room."
2
To continue to exist or persist for longer than expected, especially before fading away.
"Doubts about the decision lingered for years."
How to use linger
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo stay somewhere, or persist, longer than you strictly need to.
Common pairings
linger over
a lingering doubt
lingering smell
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Word forms
- Third person singular
- lingers
- Past tense
- lingered
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
We _____ over coffee long after the meal was finished.
Etymology
From Old English lengan ("to lengthen, prolong"), related to the word long — to linger is, at root, to make a stay "longer."
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for linger
See all rhymes for linger →Frequently asked questions
What does “linger” mean?
The word “linger” means to stay in a place longer than necessary, often reluctant to leave. In plain terms, to stay somewhere, or persist, longer than you strictly need to.
How do you pronounce “linger”?
“Linger” is pronounced LIHNG-guh (/ˈlɪŋɡɚ/ in IPA).
How do you use “linger” in a sentence?
Here is “linger” used in a sentence: “We lingered over coffee long after the meal was finished.”
What part of speech is “linger”?
“Linger” is a verb.
Where does the word “linger” come from?
The word “linger” comes from Old English. From Old English lengan ("to lengthen, prolong"), related to the word long — to linger is, at root, to make a stay "longer.".
Is “linger” a common word?
“Linger” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
How many meanings does “linger” have?
“Linger” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to stay in a place longer than necessary, often reluctant to leave.
