WordLens

linger

1 of 1verb
/ˈlɪŋɡɚ/
Forms:lingers,lingering,lingered,lingered
1

to stay somewhere longer because one does not want to leave

C1
  • After the final bell rang, the students decided to linger in the school courtyard.
  • As the vacation neared its end, the family chose to linger on the beach.
  • After the concert concluded, fans lingered in the venue.
  • The travelers chose to linger in the charming village, captivated by its picturesque surroundings.
  • After the family dinner, relatives decided to linger in the backyard.
Synonyms:
2

to persist in existence or effect without fading quickly

  • The aroma of freshly baked cookies lingered in the kitchen, tempting everyone with its sweet fragrance.
  • After the performance ended, the applause lingered in the theater.
  • The memory of the heartfelt conversation continued to linger in their minds.
  • The mist lingered in the valley, giving the landscape a mystical appearance as the morning sun rose.
  • A sense of nostalgia lingered in the air as the old songs played on the radio.
3

to remain focused on something

transitive
  • His gaze lingered on the beautiful sunset, mesmerized by the vibrant colors.
  • She lingered on the painting, captivated by its intricate details.
  • The student lingered on the textbook, trying to absorb every piece of information.
  • He lingered on her words, reflecting on their deeper meaning.
  • The audience lingered on the final scene, moved by the powerful performance.
Synonyms:
4

to intentionally prolong the completion of an action or process

transitive
  • He lingered in submitting his report, hoping to gather more data to strengthen his case.
  • The lawyer decided to linger in finalizing the contract, wanting to ensure every detail was perfect.
  • The manager lingered in approving the budget, seeking further justification from the team before moving forward.
  • He lingered in making a decision about the job offer, weighing the pros and cons carefully.
  • The contractor lingered in completing the renovations, wanting to add some finishing touches that would impress the client.
Antonyms:
5

to proceed slowly toward one's destination

  • After the long meeting, he lingered back to the office, chatting with colleagues about the day's events.
  • As the sun began to set, he lingered homeward, enjoying the peaceful evening air and the sound of rustling leaves.
  • The children lingered on their way back from school, stopping to admire the flowers blooming along the path.
  • The hikers lingered on the trail, pausing to take in the breathtaking view of the valley below.