linger Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. verb remain present although waning or gradually dying
    • Her perfume lingered on
  2. verb be about
    loaf; footle; mess about; lallygag; lollygag; lurk; tarry; mill about; hang around; lounge; loiter; mill around.
    • The high school students like to loiter in the Central Square
    • Who is this man that is hanging around the department?
  3. verb leave slowly and hesitantly
    tarry.
  4. verb take one's time; proceed slowly
    dawdle.
  5. verb move to and fro
    hover.
    • The shy student lingered in the corner

WordNet

Lin"ger intransitive verb
Etymology
OE. lengen to tarry, AS. lengan to prolong, put off, fr. lang long. . See Long, a.
Wordforms
imperfect & past participle Lingered ; present participle & verbal noun Lingering
Definitions
  1. To delay; to loiter; to remain or wait long; to be slow or reluctant in parting or moving; to be slow in deciding; to be in suspense; to hesitate.
    Nor cast one longing, lingering look behind. Gray.
    Perhaps thou linger'st, in deep thoughts detained. Milton.
    Syn. -- To loiter; lag; saunter; delay; tarry; stop; hesitate.
Lin"ger transitive verb
Definitions
  1. To protract; to draw out. Obs.
    She lingers my desires. Shak.
  2. To spend or pass in lingering manner; -- with out; as, to linger out one's days on a sick bed. Dryden.

Webster 1913