Definition of "linger" []

To be slow in leaving, especially out of reluctance; tarry. See Synonyms at stay1. (verb-intransitive)
To remain feebly alive for some time before dying. (verb-intransitive)
To persist: an aftertaste that lingers. (verb-intransitive)
To proceed slowly; saunter. (verb-intransitive)
To be tardy in acting; procrastinate. (verb-intransitive)

American Heritage(R) Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright (c) 2011 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

Use "linger" in a sentence

"He lets the word linger for a while and savors a mouthful of his drink."
"While the ghosts of Hitler and Stalin linger in the city 's architectural bones, Berlin' s young generation has chosen to transform the past into something liberating."
"And letting negative charges linger is always bad."

Words like "linger"

delay go away go forth hesitate lag leave

linger on

lingered lingerer lingering lingers loiter

move persist protract remain saunter stay

stop tarry waffle waver