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 upper-level trough that lingered over the East Coast took shape in tandem with a dip in the jet stream, which together produced a low-pressure area close to the surface of the ocean just several hundred miles from land, said Rosencrans.
—
Emily Mae Czachor, CBS News, 25 Nov. 2025
Most healthy individuals will recover from the flu in about a week, but consult your child’s doctor if symptoms linger.
—Sarah Scott, Parents, 25 Nov. 2025
Bathrooms might be a good place to snag a moment of peace and quiet, but lingering on the throne only lets odors build, so flush promptly.
—Cody Godwin, USA Today, 25 Nov. 2025
However, the lingering grievances of many sectors of the population would come violently to a head in decades to come, leaving thousands dead on both sides.
—Literary Hub, 25 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for linger
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Emily Mae Czachor, CBS News, 25 Nov. 2025
Most healthy individuals will recover from the flu in about a week, but consult your child’s doctor if symptoms linger.
—Sarah Scott, Parents, 25 Nov. 2025
Bathrooms might be a good place to snag a moment of peace and quiet, but lingering on the throne only lets odors build, so flush promptly.
—Cody Godwin, USA Today, 25 Nov. 2025
However, the lingering grievances of many sectors of the population would come violently to a head in decades to come, leaving thousands dead on both sides.
—Literary Hub, 25 Nov. 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 26 Nov. 2025.
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