linger — English Dictionary

Verb

1. To stay or remain in a place or situation, especially as if unwilling to depart or not easily able to do so.

   Usage

   • Intransitive

   Synonyms

   abideloitertarry

   Examples

   Still more foole I ſhall appeare / By the time I linger here

   His tone lingered in the air, almost like the tone of a musical instrument.

   More examples (4)

   She lingered in the window until the windy sunset died in bat-colored dusk; then, going to bed, she lay sleepless all night.

   Stars fading but I linger on, dear / Still craving your kiss / I'm longin' to linger till dawn, dear / Just saying this

   It takes into account […] predictions of how long radioactive contaminants will linger in the soil and water near the nuclear facility.

   Mrs. Clinton’s main opponent, Senator Bernie Sanders, a self-described Democratic Socialist, has proved to be more formidable than most people, including Mrs. Clinton, anticipated. He has brought income inequality and the lingering pain of the middle class to center stage and pushed Mrs. Clinton a bit more to the left than she might have gone on economic issues.

2. To remain alive or existent although still proceeding toward death or extinction; to die gradually.

   Usage

   • Intransitive

   Examples

   He lingered through the day, and died that evening as the sun went down.

   During his absence the queen fell ill, and after lingering for some time she died.

3. To consider or contemplate for a period of time; to engage in analytic thinking or discussion.

   Usage

   • idiomatic
   • Intransitive
   • often
   • followed by on

   Examples

   Trump doesn't linger on the poll.

Verb

1. remain present although waning or gradually dying

   Broader terms

   staystickstick aroundstay putremainpersist

   Examples

   Her perfume lingered on

2. be about a place without any apparent purpose

   Synonyms

   loiterloungefootlelollygagloaflallygaghang aroundmess abouttarrylurkmill aboutmill around

   Broader terms

   wait

   Examples

   The high school students like to loiter in the Central Square

   Who is this man that is hanging around the department?

3. leave slowly and hesitantly

   Synonyms

   tarry

   Broader terms

   leavego forthgo away

4. take one's time; proceed slowly

   Synonyms

   dawdle

   Antonyms

   rush

   Broader terms

   move

5. to hang about in a place beyond the proper or usual time

   Synonyms

   hover

   Broader terms

   hesitatewaverwaffle

   Examples

   The shy student lingered in the corner