linger

verb

lin·​ger ˈliŋ-gər How to pronounce linger (audio)
lingered; lingering ˈliŋ-g(ə-)riŋ How to pronounce linger (audio)

intransitive verb

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

transitive verb

1
: to pass (a period of time) slowly
2
obsolete : delay
lingerer noun
lingeringly adverb

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
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.
Yet these employment cuts can have devastating consequences on workers and cause lingering damage to the labor market at large. Omeed Maghzian, Harvard Business Review, 21 July 2025 Do lingering questions about this biotechnology disqualify it? Suwanna Gauntlett Upjohn, Forbes.com, 21 July 2025 The kidnapping of a teen girl months earlier lingers in the background. Judy Berman, Time, 21 July 2025 Heat dome could last for weeks A bulge in the jet stream developing as high pressure builds could create a persistent heat dome lingering well into August, AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Chad Merrill said. John Bacon, USA Today, 20 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for linger

Word History

Etymology

Middle English (northern dialect) lengeren to dwell, frequentative of lengen to prolong, from Old English lengan; akin to Old English lang long

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of linger was in the 14th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Linger.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/linger. Accessed 25 Jul. 2025.

Kids Definition

linger

verb
lin·​ger ˈliŋ-gər How to pronounce linger (audio)
lingered; lingering -g(ə-)riŋ How to pronounce linger (audio)
1
: to be slow in quitting a place or activity
lingered in bed
2
: to be slow to act
lingerer noun
lingeringly adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on linger

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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