cling

¹cling

verb \ˈkliŋ\

: to hold onto something or someone very tightly

: to stay very close to someone for emotional support, protection, etc.

: to stick to something or someone

clung \ˈkləŋ\ cling·ing

Full Definition of CLING

intransitive verb

1

a :  to hold together

b :  to adhere as if glued firmly

c :  to hold or hold on tightly or tenaciously

2

a :  to have a strong emotional attachment or dependence <he clung to his friends for support>

b :  to remain or linger as if resisting complete dissipation or dispersal <the odor clung to the room for hours>

— cling·er \ˈkliŋ-ər\ noun

— clingy \ˈkliŋ-ē\ adjective

Examples of CLING

1. The children clung together under the little umbrella waiting for the storm to pass.
2. <a dozen magnets clinging to the refrigerator>

Origin of CLING

Middle English, from Old English clingan; akin to Old High German klunga tangled ball of thread

First Known Use: before 12th century

Related to CLING

Synonyms

adhere, cleave, stick, hew

Related Words

bind, cohere, fasten, fuse, glue, unite

Near Antonyms

loosen; drop, fall

See Synonym Discussion at stick

Rhymes with CLING

bring, Ching, ding, fling, king, ling, Ming, ping, ring, sing, sling, spring, sting, string, swing, thing, wing, wring, zing

²cling

noun

Definition of CLING

:  an act or instance of clinging :  adherence

Examples of CLING

1. <for certain types of materials that plastic wrap has very little cling>

First Known Use of CLING

circa 1625

Related to CLING

Synonyms

adherence, bonding, adhesion

Antonyms

unsticking

Related Words

agglutination, clumping, cohesion; adhesiveness, attachment, cohesiveness, tenacity; cementing, gluing (also glueing)