lingering — lasting for a long time or slow to end
Part of speech: ADJECTIVE
Definition: lasting for a long time or slow to end
Pronunciation (IPA): /ˈlɪŋɡərɪŋ/
Example Sentences
- The lingering aroma of pizza made everyone hungry again.
- She gave him a lingering look before leaving the room.
- The lingering question was: who ate all the donuts?
lingering
ADJECTIVE[/ˈlɪŋɡərɪŋ/]
lasting for a long time or slow to end
a customer sits alone at a corner table, slowly stirring her coffee while staring out the window. The barista nearby starts wiping down tables and stacking chairs around her. Steam continues rising from her nearly empty cup even though she arrived hours ago. Other customers have long since left, but she remains lost in thought, unwilling to leave. The barista glances at her sympathetically, recognizing she needs more time to process whatever weighs on her mind. something lasting for a long time and being slow to end
The singer's finger catches a lingering tear!
Got the picture? Now let's practice.
🎤Pronunciation
🌳Etymology
Origin
Derived from Middle English 'lingeren', meaning originally 'to hang loosely or drawl out'. The term evolved from its literal sense of prolonging or extending something to the figurative meaning of remaining in a place or state for an extended period.
Breakdown
linger (to remain or stay) + -ing (present participle/gerund suffix), forming an adjective or gerund describing the action of prolonging or remaining in a slow, delayed manner.
🎵Rhyme
🔗Collocations
📝Examples
“The lingering aroma of pizza made everyone hungry again.”
“She gave him a lingering look before leaving the room.”
“The lingering question was: who ate all the donuts?”
“His lingering cough worried his family.”
📚Related Words
Want to master 27,000+ words?
Sign up free for flashcards & quizzes.