lingered; lingering
ˈliŋ-g(ə-)riŋ 
1
: to be slow in parting or in quitting something : tarry
fans lingered outside the door
2
a
: to remain existent although often waning in strength, importance, or influence
lingering doubts
lingering odors
b
: to remain alive although gradually dying
was seriously ill, but lingered on for several months
3
: to be slow to act : procrastinate
He lingered in settling the estate in order to increase his fees.
4
: to move slowly : saunter
lingering homeward
Examples of linger in a Sentence
The tourists didn't linger very long.
She lingered at the art exhibit.
He lingered in bed and missed breakfast.
They lingered over coffee after dinner.
The heat lingered long after the sun had gone down.
The smell of her perfume lingered.
The idea lingered in their minds.
Recent Examples on the Web
Eb Flo Coffeehouse Perched along Sheboygan’s South Pier, Eb Flo Coffeehouse is a cozy waterfront café where locals and visitors linger over locally roasted coffee.
—
Lauren Dana Ellman, Travel + Leisure, 28 Oct. 2025
Although inflation ticked up in September and remains above the Fed’s 2% target, analysts expect the central bank to proceed with another quarter-point rate cut, viewing cooling labor market risks as more pressing than lingering price pressures, according to a recent report by Oxford Economics.
—Rachel Barber, USA Today, 28 Oct. 2025
Do not linger on it, do not comment on it, do not give it your attention.
—Kara Alaimo, CNN Money, 28 Oct. 2025
Many tender crops die back with the first fall frost, while hardier plants may linger longer but still be damaged by freezes.
—Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 28 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for linger
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Lauren Dana Ellman, Travel + Leisure, 28 Oct. 2025
Although inflation ticked up in September and remains above the Fed’s 2% target, analysts expect the central bank to proceed with another quarter-point rate cut, viewing cooling labor market risks as more pressing than lingering price pressures, according to a recent report by Oxford Economics.
—Rachel Barber, USA Today, 28 Oct. 2025
Do not linger on it, do not comment on it, do not give it your attention.
—Kara Alaimo, CNN Money, 28 Oct. 2025
Many tender crops die back with the first fall frost, while hardier plants may linger longer but still be damaged by freezes.
—Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 28 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for linger
Cite this Entry
“Linger.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/linger. Accessed 29 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share