Meaning
Linger means to stay in a place longer than necessary because you are reluctant to leave, or because something (such as a smell or feeling) remains for a long time.
Grammar and Usage
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Part of speech: Verb (intransitive)
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Verb forms: linger – lingered – lingering
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Typical patterns:
- linger (somewhere) — stay longer than expected
- linger on — continue to exist or remain
- linger over (something) — take a long time to do something because you enjoy it
Examples of structures:
- linger in the air (used for smells, sounds, feelings)
- linger on in memory (used for emotions, memories, impressions)
Common Phrases
- linger on – to continue to exist or be noticeable
- linger over – to take time enjoying or considering something
- linger around/about – to stay aimlessly in one place
Collocations
- linger in the air
- linger in the mind
- linger on the tongue
- linger for hours
- linger over coffee
Examples
- The smell of freshly baked bread lingered in the kitchen.
- She lingered at the door, unwilling to say goodbye.
- His words lingered in my mind long after the meeting ended.
- The pain lingered for weeks after the accident.
- They lingered over dessert, enjoying the pleasant evening.
- A sense of sadness lingered on after the movie ended.
- Don’t linger around, we’re already late!
- The taste of the wine lingered on her tongue.
Synonyms or Related
- stay
- remain
- persist
- endure
- loiter
Antonym
- leave
- depart
- vanish
- disappear
