Word
cling
US/ˈkɫɪŋ/
UK/klˈɪŋ/
Irregular verb
Forms
Infinitive
cling
Past
clung
Past participle
clung
Definitions
01to hold tightly
B2 · Upper Intermediate
v. to hold onto something or someone very tightly so that you do not fall or lose them.
v. to grip or hold on tightly to something, often to prevent falling or separation.
“The small child clung to his mother's hand in the crowded station.”
“Survivors of the shipwreck clung to pieces of floating debris for hours before the rescue helicopter arrived at dawn.”
Usage
Usually takes the preposition 'to'.
Antonyms
02to stick to a surface
B2 · Upper Intermediate
v. to stick to a surface or follow the shape of something.
v. to adhere closely to a surface, often following its contours through moisture, static, or texture.
日本語:付く※
“His wet shirt clung to his back after he ran through the rain.”
“The plastic wrap is designed to cling to the edges of the bowl, creating an airtight seal to keep the food fresh.”
Usage
Often used to describe how wet or thin clothing fits the body.
03to stay emotionally attached
C1 · Advanced Literary
v. to refuse to let go of a belief, a hope, or a person because you need them.
v. to remain emotionally or mentally attached to something, often out of fear, desperation, or loyalty.
“Even after many years, she still clung to the hope that her brother was alive.”
“The aging politician clung to power long after his party had lost the support of the general public.”
Usage
Takes the preposition 'to'.
04plastic wrap
B2 · Upper Intermediate Uncountable noun British English
n. a thin, clear plastic film used to cover food and keep it fresh.
n. A thin, transparent plastic film that adheres to surfaces; a shortened form of 'cling film'.
“Cover the leftovers with some cling before putting them in the fridge.”
“The chef insisted on using high-quality cling to ensure the prepared ingredients did not dry out during the busy service.”
Synonyms
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “cling” in context.
Verb
01. cling to a belief
“Even in the face of contradictory evidence, he continued to cling to his outdated beliefs.”
verb + prep + noun
02. cling to power
“The dictator attempted to cling to power despite widespread protests across the country.”
verb + prep + noun
03. cling to the hope
“Families are still clinging to the hope that their loved ones will be found alive.”
verb + prep + noun
04. cling to the wreckage
“The survivors managed to cling to the wreckage until the rescue helicopter arrived.”
verb + prep + noun
Noun
05. tendency to cling
“The toddler's tendency to cling to his parents made starting daycare quite difficult.”
noun + infinitive
Adverb
06. cling desperately to
“She clung desperately to her mother's hand as they navigated through the dense crowd.”
verb + adv + prep + noun
07. cling stubbornly to
“The aging athlete clung stubbornly to his dream of winning one last gold medal.”
verb + adv + prep + noun
08. cling tightly to
“The child clung tightly to his teddy bear during the thunderstorm.”
verb + adv + prep + noun
Real-World Examples
“As the ball flew towards the back post, Pacho clung to Madjo for dear life, but the teenager kept him at arm’s length to ripple the net.” “Before the breakout, he said, he’d “wanted to cling to life.” Once the group decided to act, however, Yamada felt resigned to his fate.” “Infantino, damaged, clings on, having rallied at least some senior Fifa staff at an emergency meeting in Rabat this week.” Etymology
From Middle English clingen, from Old English clingan (“to adhere”), from Proto-West Germanic klingan, from Proto-Germanic klinganą. Cognate with Danish klynge (“to cluster, to crowd”). Compare clump.
Imitative; compare clink, clang.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
VERB
ADJECTIVE
Related words
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- C1 · AdvancedOxford
- Updated
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QR code
englishreference.com/q/cling
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「日本語」 data: JMdict (EDRDG), CC BY-SA 4.0