ENGLISH
REFERENCE

clinging

adj.
B2 Upper Intermediate US //ˈkɫɪŋɪŋ// UK //klˈɪŋɪŋ// cling·ing

adj. holding onto something or someone very tightly. It can describe physical touch or a person who needs too much emotional support.

adj. holding tightly to a physical object or person; metaphorically, exhibiting excessive emotional dependence. Often used as a participial adjective in both literal and figurative contexts.


SIMPLE

The child was clinging to his mother's leg.

CONTEXTUAL

Wet clothes were clinging to her skin after she ran through the heavy rainstorm.

COMPLEX

The ivy was clinging tenaciously to the crumbling brickwork, its roots finding purchase in every small crack and crevice of the ancient facade.

Synonyms
Usage

Often followed by the preposition 'to'. When describing a person's behavior, it typically carries a negative or critical tone.

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