clung: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B1Neutral; used in both formal and informal contexts.
Quick answer
What does “clung” mean?
Past tense and past participle of 'cling' – to hold tightly or adhere closely to something or someone.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
Past tense and past participle of 'cling' – to hold tightly or adhere closely to something or someone.
Figuratively, to remain persistently attached to a belief, idea, memory, or position, or to remain close to someone emotionally or physically for support or safety.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant grammatical or meaning differences. Pronunciation may vary slightly.
Connotations
Consistent across both varieties, often carrying connotations of desperation, dependence, or emotional attachment.
Frequency
Comparable frequency. Possibly slightly more common in literary or descriptive narrative contexts in both varieties.
Grammar
How to Use “clung” in a Sentence
NP clung to NPNP clung togetherNP clung onNP clung + adverb (e.g., tightly, desperately)Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “clung” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The child clung to his mother's leg at the nursery.
- They clung on to a slim hope of rescue.
- His wet shirt clung uncomfortably to his back.
American English
- The hiker clung to the cliff face with all his strength.
- She clung to the belief that things would get better.
- The smell of smoke clung to his clothes.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. Possible metaphor: 'The company clung to outdated business models.'
Academic
Used in literary analysis, history, or psychology to describe persistent attachment (e.g., 'The community clung to traditional customs.').
Everyday
Common for describing physical holding on (to a railing, person) or emotional attachment (to memories).
Technical
Not typical in hard sciences. May appear in geology/biology for describing adhesion.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “clung”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “clung”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “clung”
- Using 'clinged' (incorrect; irregular verb: cling, clung, clung).
- Confusing 'clung to a memory' with 'remembered a memory' (redundant).
- Using in contexts requiring 'stuck' for inanimate objects (e.g., 'The stamp clung to the envelope' is figurative; 'stuck' is more literal).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is the irregular past tense and past participle of 'cling'. The base form is 'cling', the past is 'clung', and the past participle is also 'clung'.
Yes, but usually in a figurative or descriptive way (e.g., 'The smell clung to the room', 'The dress clung to her figure'). For literal adhesion of objects, 'stuck' is often more common.
'Clung' implies a sustained, often desperate, hold or attachment. 'Clutched' describes a tight, sudden grab, often with the hands. You might 'clutch' something briefly, but 'cling' to it for a longer period.
Yes, particularly in British English. 'Clung on' or 'clung onto' are common phrasal verb forms meaning to persist in holding, especially with difficulty (e.g., 'He clung on despite his injuries').
Past tense and past participle of 'cling' – to hold tightly or adhere closely to something or someone.
Clung is usually neutral; used in both formal and informal contexts. in register.
Clung: in British English it is pronounced /klʌŋ/, and in American English it is pronounced /klʌŋ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “clung on for dear life”
- “clung like a limpet/barnacle”
- “clung to the wreckage”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a CLUmp of wet NG (mud) – it CLUNGs to your shoe and won't let go.
Conceptual Metaphor
AFFECTION/IDEA IS AN OBJECT ONE GRASPS; PERSISTENCE IS HOLDING ON; VULNERABILITY IS CLINGING.
Practice
Quiz
In which sentence is 'clung' used in a figurative sense?