linger
Use Linger in a sentence
gər 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.
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.
5.
to walk slowly; saunter along.
verb (used with object)
6.
to pass (time, life, etc.) in a leisurely or a tedious manner (usually followed by away or out ): We lingered away the whole summer at the beach.
7.
Archaic. to draw out or protract.
00:10
Linger
is one of our favorite verbs.
So is kibitz. Does it mean:
| to chew (food) slowly and thoroughly. |
| chat, to converse |
Origin:
1250–1300; Middle English lengeren to dwell, remain (somewhere), frequentative of lengen, Old English lengan to delay, prolong, literally, lengthen. See long1, -er6
1250–1300; Middle English lengeren to dwell, remain (somewhere), frequentative of lengen, Old English lengan to delay, prolong, literally, lengthen. See long1, -er6
Related forms
lin·ger·er, noun
lin·ger·ing·ly, adverb
out·lin·ger, verb (used with object)
o·ver·lin·ger, verb (used without object)
un·lin·ger·ing, adjective
Synonyms
1, 4. tarry. 1, 5. loiter.
1, 4. tarry. 1, 5. loiter.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
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Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
Cite This Source
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Link To Linger
Collins
World English Dictionary
linger (ˈlɪŋɡə) ![[Click for IPA pronunciation guide]](http://static.sfdict.com/dictstatic/g/d/dictionary_questionbutton_default.gif) | |
| —vb | |
| 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 |
| [C13 (northern dialect) lengeren to dwell, from lengen to prolong, from Old English lengan; related to Old Norse lengja; see | |
| 'lingerer | |
| —n | |
| 'lingering | |
| —adj | |
| 'lingeringly | |
| —adv | |
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
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2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
Cite This Source
Etymonline
Word Origin & History
linger
c.1300, lenger "reside, dwell," freq. of lengen "to tarry," from O.E. lengan "prolong, lengthen," from P.Gmc. *langijanan (cf. Du. lengen "to lengthen"), source of O.E. lang "long."
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
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Example sentences
The endorphins linger, delightfully, for hours afterwards.
She'll casually put her hand on your arm during conversation and let it linger there.
It signals they're okay with any awkwardness that might linger.
Even better, geese won't linger, because they fear predators could be hiding.
Nearby Words
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