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
The home here is a ramshackle London town house where a famed painter, Julian Sklar (Ian McKellen), is spending his final years in a haze of creative stagnation and lingering renown.
—
Justin Chang, New Yorker, 3 Apr. 2026
For much of Thursday, April 2, the Orion capsule carrying the Artemis II crew will linger in Earth orbit before preparations begin to send the vehicle toward the moon.
—Eric Lagatta, USA Today, 2 Apr. 2026
In the premiere, Aunt Lydia’s promise lingers over Offred’s head like the blade of a guillotine.
—Ben Travers, IndieWire, 2 Apr. 2026
Screens in education are one factor increasingly under scrutiny as educators and parents search for explanations for this generation’s academic struggles, which became most pronounced during COVID-19 but have lingered even after years back in the physical classroom.
—The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 2 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for linger
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Justin Chang, New Yorker, 3 Apr. 2026
For much of Thursday, April 2, the Orion capsule carrying the Artemis II crew will linger in Earth orbit before preparations begin to send the vehicle toward the moon.
—Eric Lagatta, USA Today, 2 Apr. 2026
In the premiere, Aunt Lydia’s promise lingers over Offred’s head like the blade of a guillotine.
—Ben Travers, IndieWire, 2 Apr. 2026
Screens in education are one factor increasingly under scrutiny as educators and parents search for explanations for this generation’s academic struggles, which became most pronounced during COVID-19 but have lingered even after years back in the physical classroom.
—The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 2 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for linger
Cite this Entry
“Linger.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/linger. Accessed 3 Apr. 2026.
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