lingering

UK: /ˈlɪŋgərɪŋ/

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

lin•ger /ˈlɪŋgɚ/   v. [no object]

1. to remain in a place longer than is usual or expected:
   They lingered over their coffee for a few minutes.
2. to continue to exist but with lessened strength:
   Old hatreds lingered after the war.

lin•ger•er, n. [countable]
lin•ger•ing•ly, adv. 

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

lin•ger  (ling′gər), v.i. 

1. to remain or stay on in a place longer than is usual or expected, as if from reluctance to leave:
   We lingered awhile after the party.
2. to remain alive;
   continue or persist, although gradually dying, ceasing, disappearing, etc.:
   She lingered a few months after the heart attack. Such practices still linger among the older natives.
3. to dwell in contemplation, thought, or enjoyment:
   to linger over the beauty of a painting.
4. to be tardy in action;
   delay;
   dawdle:
   to linger in discharging one's duties.
5. to walk slowly;
   saunter along.

v.t. 

6. to pass (time, life, etc.) in a leisurely or a tedious manner (usually fol. by away or out):
   We lingered away the whole summer at the beach.
7. [Archaic.] to draw out or protract.

• Middle English lengeren to dwell, remain (somewhere), frequentative of lengen, Old English lengan to delay, prolong, literally, lengthen. See long¹, -er⁶ 1250–1300

lin′ger•er, n. 
lin′ger•ing•ly, adv. 
Synonyms

• 1, 4. tarry.
• 1, 5. loiter.

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

linger / ˈlɪŋɡə/ verb (mainly intr)

1. to delay or prolong departure
2. to go in a slow or leisurely manner; saunter
3. to remain just alive for some time prior to death
4. to persist or continue, esp in the mind
5. to be slow to act; dither; procrastinate

Etymology: 13th Century (northern dialect) lengeren to dwell, from lengen to prolong, from Old English lengan; related to Old Norse lengja; see long¹

ˈlingerer noun

ˈlingering adjective

ˈlingeringly adverb