linger
LING-gur
/ˈlɪŋɡər/
To stay in a place longer than necessary because of a reluctance to leave.
Often has a poetic or emotional connotation, like a scent or a memory that stays behind.
The story behind the word. Linger is a 'frequentative' form of the word 'long.' It literally means to 'make long' or to stretch out the time you spend in a place. It has been used since the 1300s to describe people who are slow to move on.
Word relationships
- loiter: Loiter has a negative, often criminal connotation; linger is usually neutral or pleasant.
- tarry: Tarry is more archaic and specifically means to delay a departure.
- flee: To run away quickly.
- depart: To leave, especially in an organized way.
Commonly confused with
- malinger: To malinger is to pretend to be ill to avoid work; to linger is just to stay too long.
Word family
- lingering (adjective): Lasting for a long time or slow to end.
- lingerer (noun): A person who stays behind.
Collocations
- linger on a thought
- a lingering doubt
- linger over coffee
Example sentences
- "The smell of her perfume lingered in the empty room for hours." Describing a sensory experience.
- "He would linger at the gate, watching the sunset until the stars appeared." A classic literary line.
Memory hook
If you 'linger', you stay 'longer'. LINGER makes the moment LONGER.
When not to use
Don't use this for a formal delay of a meeting; use 'adjourn'.
Fun facts
- The word 'long' and 'linger' are cousins in the Germanic language family.
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