Meaning of linger in English

Table of contents
  1. Pronunciation
  2. Verb
    1. Etymology
    2. Definitions

  1. Pronunciation

    /ˈlɪŋɡər/

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    UK accent Play button

  1. Verb

    linger

    Etymology

    Middle English (in the sense ‘dwell, abide’): frequentative of obsolete leng ‘prolong’, of Germanic origin; related to German längen‘make long(er)’, also to long

    Definitions

    1. remain present although waning or gradually dying

    Examples

    • « Her perfume lingered on »
  2. 2. be about

    Examples

    • « The high school students like to loiter in the Central Square »
    • « Who is this man that is hanging around the department? »

    Derived terms

  3. 3. leave slowly and hesitantly

    Derived terms

  4. 4. take one's time

    Examples

    • « proceed slowly »

    Antonyms

    Derived terms

  5. 5. move to and fro

    Examples

    • « The shy student lingered in the corner »

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