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
Overcast skies and lingering wet weather isn’t expected to alter the event.
—
Brian Niemietz, New York Daily News, 13 June 2025
That didn't happen early Friday, however, perhaps signaling investors' lingering worries over the high level of U.S. debt.
—Scott Horsley, NPR, 13 June 2025
This is Trump unfettered, erasing the lingering frustrations from his first term and no longer constrained by any dissenting voices on his own staff.
—Susan B. Glasser, New Yorker, 12 June 2025
However, there may be lingering water on area roadways.
—Nc Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 12 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for linger
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Brian Niemietz, New York Daily News, 13 June 2025
That didn't happen early Friday, however, perhaps signaling investors' lingering worries over the high level of U.S. debt.
—Scott Horsley, NPR, 13 June 2025
This is Trump unfettered, erasing the lingering frustrations from his first term and no longer constrained by any dissenting voices on his own staff.
—Susan B. Glasser, New Yorker, 12 June 2025
However, there may be lingering water on area roadways.
—Nc Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 12 June 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 18 Jun. 2025.
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