Linger Definition & Meaning | Britannica Dictionary (original) (raw)
Britannica Dictionary definition of LINGER
[no object]
1
:
to stay somewhere beyond the usual or expected time
- The tourists didn't linger very long.
- She lingered at the art exhibit.
- He lingered in bed and missed breakfast.
- They lingered over coffee after dinner.
2
a
:
to continue to exist as time passes
- The heat lingered long after the sun had gone down.
- The smell of her perfume lingered.
- The idea lingered in their minds.
— often + on
- His unhappiness/resentment lingered on.
- The rain lingered on for days.
b
:
to remain alive while becoming weaker
— usually + on
- He was very ill, but he lingered on for several more months.
— lingerer
noun,
plural
lingerers
[count]
- After sunset there were a few lingerers on the beach.
— lingering
adjective
- This latest evidence should remove any lingering doubts/questions about his innocence.
- The company is still trying to recover from the lingering effects of the strike.
- a long, lingering kiss
- a last, lingering look
- He suffered a long, lingering [=very slow] death.
— lingeringly
adverb