lingered; lingering
ˈliŋ-g(ə-)riŋ 
1
: to be slow in parting or in quitting something : tarry
fans lingered outside the door
2
a
: to remain existent although often waning in strength, importance, or influence
lingering doubts
lingering odors
b
: to remain alive although gradually dying
was seriously ill, but lingered on for several months
3
: to be slow to act : procrastinate
He lingered in settling the estate in order to increase his fees.
4
: to move slowly : saunter
lingering homeward
Examples of linger in a Sentence
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.
The heat lingered long after the sun had gone down.
The smell of her perfume lingered.
The idea lingered in their minds.
Recent Examples on the Web
Debt from a 2018 restructuring lingered and mall traffic, especially in secondary locations, continued to decline.
—
Kate Hardcastle, Forbes.com, 14 Aug. 2025
Even as Andrew James McGann sits in jail accused of the ghastly double murder of parents on a hike at a state park in the Ozark Mountains, key questions linger about the motive.
—Alisha Ebrahimji, CNN Money, 14 Aug. 2025
The active weather pattern is expected to linger through midweek, with storms possible and temperatures returning to near normal, with highs in the mid-80s to lower 90s.
—Robert A. Cronkleton, Kansas City Star, 13 Aug. 2025
Temperatures will finally drop below 110, lingering around the 100-degree mark.
—Hayleigh Evans, AZCentral.com, 13 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for linger
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Kate Hardcastle, Forbes.com, 14 Aug. 2025
Even as Andrew James McGann sits in jail accused of the ghastly double murder of parents on a hike at a state park in the Ozark Mountains, key questions linger about the motive.
—Alisha Ebrahimji, CNN Money, 14 Aug. 2025
The active weather pattern is expected to linger through midweek, with storms possible and temperatures returning to near normal, with highs in the mid-80s to lower 90s.
—Robert A. Cronkleton, Kansas City Star, 13 Aug. 2025
Temperatures will finally drop below 110, lingering around the 100-degree mark.
—Hayleigh Evans, AZCentral.com, 13 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for linger
Cite this Entry
“Linger.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/linger. Accessed 21 Aug. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share