Words / C1

LING-uh/ˈlɪŋɡə/

To linger is to stay longer than needed, or to be slow to disappear: linger over coffee, a smell lingered. Stay and remain are everyday; loiter is hang about, often disapproved. Linger is not longer (the comparative). Do not linger on a live fire alarm.

Meaning

To stay longer than necessary, or to be slow to disappear.

Examples

• “Doubt lingered after the “full consultation” email of two lines.”
• “Stay is everyday. Remain is a bit more formal. Loiter is suspicious hanging-around. A lingering look can be tender or awkward. An alarm is not a café.”

Good to know

Stay on; be slow to fade. Everyday: stay / remain. Cousin: loiter (hang about). Mix-up: longer. Not during an alarm.

Near in meaning

remain

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