adjective
lingering
LING-guh-ring
Lingering (adjective) means continuing to exist or be noticeable long after you would expect it to have gone. Example: “There was a lingering smell of woodsmoke in the hallway.”
adjective
1
Continuing to exist or be noticeable long after you would expect it to have gone.
"There was a lingering smell of woodsmoke in the hallway."
"She still has lingering doubts about the deal."
2
Slow and drawn out, especially of illness or death.
"After a long and lingering illness, he died at home."
verb
1
Present participle of linger: staying somewhere longer than necessary, often because you are reluctant to leave.
"A few guests were still lingering by the door at midnight."
"He lingered over the last of his coffee."
How to use lingering
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishStill hanging around when you'd expect it to be gone.
When to use it
Neutral; equally at home in everyday speech and literary description.
Memory tip
Linger is followed by "over" for activities you draw out ("linger over lunch") and "on" for things that persist ("the memory lingered on").
Easily confused with
Common pairings
lingering doubt
lingering smell
lingering effects
lingering illness
lingering look
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There was a _____ smell of woodsmoke in the hallway.
Synonyms
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persistent
enduring
residual
remaining
abiding
loitering
dawdling
hanging around
tarrying
protracted
prolonged
drawn-out
Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for lingering
peering
tapering
lowering
covering
offering
entering
altering
cheering
steering
uttering
ordering
towering
See all rhymes for lingering →
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between lingering and loitering?
Lingering simply means staying on longer than expected, and is neutral or even affectionate. Loitering suggests hanging about with no purpose and carries a suspicious, sometimes criminal, edge — which is why signs say "no loitering" rather than "no lingering".
Can a feeling be lingering?
Yes. Doubts, resentment, sadness, hope and affection are all commonly described as lingering when they persist after the event that caused them has passed.
What is the meaning of lingering?
"lingering" (adjective) means continuing to exist or be noticeable long after you would expect it to have gone.
What is another word for lingering?
Other words for "lingering" include persistent, enduring, residual, remaining, abiding, loitering.
