# clinging

/ˈkɫɪŋɪŋ/ (US) · /klˈɪŋɪŋ/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/clinging
Updated: 2026-08-08

## Senses

### 1. tight-fitting clothing

adjective · CEFR B2

describes clothes that stick closely to your body.

For teachers: describes fabric or garments that adhere closely to the contours of the body, often due to moisture or material properties.

- The wet shirt was clinging to his back after he ran through the rain.
- The dancer chose a dress made of a soft, clinging silk that accentuated every movement during the performance.

### 2. emotionally dependent

adjective · CEFR B2

describes a person who stays too close to someone because they are afraid or need too much attention.

For teachers: exhibiting excessive emotional dependence or a strong desire for constant physical proximity.

- The toddler was very clinging on his first day at the new nursery.
- In the early stages of the breakup, he became increasingly clinging, which unfortunately pushed his partner further away.

### 3. holding on tightly

verb · CEFR B2

the action of holding onto something or someone very strongly.

For teachers: the present participle of 'cling', indicating the act of holding fast by embracing or entwining.

- She was clinging to the side of the boat as the waves got bigger.
- Clinging to the hope that the survivors might still be found, the rescue team refused to call off the search despite the blizzard.

### 4. the act of sticking

noun · CEFR C1 · Formal

the act of sticking to something or staying very close to it.

For teachers: the gerund form denoting the act or state of adhering or remaining attached to a surface or idea.

- The clinging of the wet leaves to the pavement made the path very slippery.
- The persistent clinging to outdated traditions has often hindered the department's efforts to modernise its internal protocols.

## Examples

- The child was clinging to his mother's leg.
- Wet clothes were clinging to her skin after she ran through the heavy rainstorm.
- The ivy was clinging tenaciously to the crumbling brickwork, its roots finding purchase in every small crack and crevice of the ancient facade.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.