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
Volatility in financial markets, as well as lingering concerns about sticky inflation , economic growth and geopolitical tensions, have all benefited gold this year .
—
Chloe Taylor, CNBC, 3 Sep. 2025
Summer is turning to fall, and forecasters expect lingering heat, big cool downs and hurricane danger.
—Doyle Rice, USA Today, 2 Sep. 2025
The base is anchored with vanilla and benzoin, giving the fragrance a warm, resinous finish that lingers for hours on skin.
—Adam Hurly, Robb Report, 2 Sep. 2025
More Kara Durrette/Getty Images Gonzalez, who received All-Pro votes last season, hasn't practiced since July 29 reportedly due to a lingering hamstring injury.
—Josh Hammer, MSNBC Newsweek, 2 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for linger
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Chloe Taylor, CNBC, 3 Sep. 2025
Summer is turning to fall, and forecasters expect lingering heat, big cool downs and hurricane danger.
—Doyle Rice, USA Today, 2 Sep. 2025
The base is anchored with vanilla and benzoin, giving the fragrance a warm, resinous finish that lingers for hours on skin.
—Adam Hurly, Robb Report, 2 Sep. 2025
More Kara Durrette/Getty Images Gonzalez, who received All-Pro votes last season, hasn't practiced since July 29 reportedly due to a lingering hamstring injury.
—Josh Hammer, MSNBC Newsweek, 2 Sep. 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 9 Sep. 2025.
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