linger
B2Formal and literary, but also used in everyday speech.
Definition
Meaning
To stay somewhere for a longer time than necessary, to remain, especially when reluctant to leave.
1. To persist or continue to exist for a long time, as in a feeling, smell, or condition. 2. To be slow to act or decide; to procrastinate. 3. To be near death for an unexpectedly long time.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Often implies a reluctance or hesitation to move on. Can carry connotations of nostalgia, reluctance, or a fading presence.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant grammatical or usage differences. The word is used identically in both varieties.
Connotations
Slightly more common in literary or poetic contexts; identical connotations in both.
Frequency
Similar frequency in both varieties.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
Intransitive (He lingered.)Intransitive + prepositional phrase (He lingered in the doorway.)Intransitive + adverb (The smell lingered on.)Intransitive + infinitive (He lingered to say goodbye.)Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Linger on the lips (of a taste or words)”
- “Linger in the memory/mind”
- “A lingering doubt/death/look”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Rare. Could be used metaphorically: 'Lingering concerns about the merger affected the share price.'
Academic
Used in literary analysis, historical narratives, or psychology to describe persistent states.
Everyday
Common for describing staying too long, or smells/feelings that won't go away.
Technical
Not typically used in technical contexts.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- We lingered over a final coffee before settling the bill.
- The scent of her perfume lingered in the lift.
American English
- He lingered at the door, not wanting to leave.
- Doubts about the project lingered in her mind.
adverb
British English
- Linger is not an adverb. The related adverb is 'lingeringly' (literary/rare).
American English
- Linger is not an adverb. The related adverb is 'lingeringly' (literary/rare).
adjective
British English
- Lingering is not an adjective. The related adjective is 'lingering' (e.g., a lingering smell).
American English
- Lingering is not an adjective. The related adjective is 'lingering' (e.g., a lingering illness).
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The children lingered in the toy shop.
- Don't linger, we must go!
- She lingered after the lecture to ask a question.
- The smell of garlic lingered in the kitchen.
- A feeling of sadness lingered long after the film ended.
- He lingered over the decision, weighing all the options carefully.
- The traditions of the past linger on in the remote villages.
- Despite the treatment, the patient lingered for several more weeks.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of LONGER -> LINGER. To linger is to stay LONGER than you should.
Conceptual Metaphor
TIME IS SPACE (staying in a temporal space); FADING IS A SLOW DEPARTURE.
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid direct translation with 'задерживаться' when it implies being formally detained or late. Use 'медлить' or 'оставаться' with context.
- Do not confuse with 'to lag behind' ('отставать'). 'Linger' is more about emotional reluctance than physical slowness.
Common Mistakes
- Using it transitively: Incorrect: 'He lingered the party.' Correct: 'He lingered at the party.'
- Confusing with 'long for' (to desire).
Practice
Quiz
In which sentence is 'linger' used INCORRECTLY?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is neutral but often used in more descriptive, slightly formal, or literary contexts. It is perfectly acceptable in everyday speech.
'Stay' is neutral. 'Linger' implies staying longer than necessary or expected, often with a sense of reluctance, hesitation, or slow fading.
Yes, very commonly. Feelings, doubts, smells, sounds, and traditions can all 'linger' (persist, remain).
The noun is 'lingerer' (a person who lingers), but it's less common. The concept is more often expressed with the gerund 'lingering' (e.g., 'the lingering of the scent').