linger

lin·ger

verb \ˈliŋ-gər\

lin·geredlin·ger·ing\-g(ə-)riŋ\

Definition of LINGER

intransitive verb

1

: to be slow in parting or in quitting something : tarry <fans lingered outside the door>

2

a : to remain alive although gradually dying b : to remain existent although often waning in strength, importance, or influence <lingering doubts> <lingering odors>

3

: to be slow to act : procrastinate

4

: to move slowly : saunter

transitive verb

1

obsolete : delay

2

: to pass (as a period of time) slowly

— lin·ger·er \-gər-ər\ noun

— lin·ger·ing·ly \-g(ə-)riŋ-lē\ adverb

Examples of LINGER

1. The tourists didn't linger very long.
2. She lingered at the art exhibit.
3. He lingered in bed and missed breakfast.
4. They lingered over coffee after dinner.
5. The heat lingered long after the sun had gone down.
6. The smell of her perfume lingered.
7. The idea lingered in their minds.

Origin of LINGER

Middle English (northern dialect) lengeren to dwell, frequentative of lengen to prolong, from Old English lengan; akin to Old English lang long

First Known Use: 14th century

Related to LINGER

Synonyms: crawl, creep, dally, dawdle, diddle, dillydally, drag, lag, delay, loiter, lollygag (also lallygag), mope, poke, shilly-shally, tarry

Antonyms: barrel, bolt, career, course, dash, fly, hasten, hotfoot (it), hurry, race, rip, rocket, run, rush, scoot, scud, scurry, speed, tear, whirl, whisk, whiz (or whizz), zip

Related Words: fiddle (around), fool around, mess around, monkey (around), play, potter (around), putter (around), trifle; hang (around or out), idle, loaf, loll, lounge; amble, ease, inch, lumber, plod, saunter, shuffle, stagger, stroll; decelerate, slow (down or up); filibuster, procrastinate, stall, temporize

Near Antonyms: bowl, breeze, dart, hump, hurtle, hustle, scramble, stampede; gallop, jog, run, sprint, trot; accelerate, quicken, speed (up); catch up, fast-forward, outpace, outrun, outstrip, overtake

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Rhymes with LINGER

finger