Linger Meaning
/ˈlɪŋɡɚ/Definition, CEFR level B2, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
Listen pronunciation
Definition
verbTo stay or remain in a place or situation, especially as if unwilling to depart or not easily able to do so.
verbTo remain alive or existent although still proceeding toward death or extinction; to die gradually.
Sentence Examples
Fadil didn't linger in the area.
I think I'll just linger awhile.
Memories of past love can linger much longer than expected.
CEFR Practice Quiz
After the meeting, several colleagues chose to ____ in the hallway to chat.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The delicious scent of the fresh baked bread seemed to ____ in the air long after it was taken out today.
Word Origin & History
From Middle English lengeren, frequentative of lengen (“to stay, dwell, tarry”), from Old English lenġan (“to lengthen, delay, extend”), from Proto-West Germanic *langijan, from Proto-Germanic *langijaną (compare West Frisian lingje (“to linger”), Dutch lengen, German längen, Icelandic lengja (“to lengthen”)), related to the root of English long. Equivalent to linge or long + -er (frequentative verb suffix).
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"Still more foole I ſhall appeare / By the time I linger here"
— c. 1596–1598 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Merchant of Venice”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act II, scene ix], page 172:
"His tone lingered in the air, almost like the tone of a musical instrument."
— 1859, Charles Dickens, chapter 15, in A Tale of Two Cities:
"She lingered in the window until the windy sunset died in bat-colored dusk; then, going to bed, she lay sleepless all night."
— 1891 July, Edith Wharton, “Mrs. Manstey's View”, in Scribner’s Magazine:
"Stars fading but I linger on, dear / Still craving your kiss / I'm longin' to linger till dawn, dear / Just saying this"
— 1931, “Dream a Little Dream of Me”, Gus Kahn (lyrics), Fabian Andre and Wilbur Schwandt (music):
"It takes into account […] predictions of how long radioactive contaminants will linger in the soil and water near the nuclear facility."
— 2011 April 25, Alice Park, “Upgrading the Disaster”, in Time, archived from the original on 03 Dec 2011:
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CEFR Practice Quiz
After the meeting, several colleagues chose to ____ in the hallway to chat.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The delicious scent of the fresh baked bread seemed to ____ in the air long after it was taken out today.