linger
To stay or remain in a place or situation, especially as if unwilling to depart or not easily able to do so.
Other meanings
To remain alive or existent although still proceeding toward death or extinction; to die gradually.
To consider or contemplate for a period of time; to engage in analytic thinking or discussion.
Related words
- lingerly
- lingersome
- outlinger
- overlinger
- lingerer
- lingering
- linger on
- linger out
Word history
From Old English "lenġan" (to lengthen, delay, extend).
Where this comes from
This definition is adapted from “linger” on Wiktionary, by its contributors, published under CC BY-SA 4.0. This page is published under the same licence.