ENGLISH
REFERENCE

lingering

adj.
B2 Upper Intermediate US //ˈɫɪŋɡɝɪŋ// UK //lˈɪŋɡəɹɪŋ// lin·ger·ing

adj. lasting for a long time or staying longer than expected. You use this to describe things like smells, feelings, or doubts that do not go away quickly.

adj. remaining or persisting for a protracted period, especially when such persistence is unwanted or unnecessary. Often used to describe sensory impressions, emotions, or physical symptoms.


SIMPLE

The lingering smell of smoke stayed in the room for hours.

CONTEXTUAL

Despite the warm weather, she still had a lingering cough from the flu she caught last month.

COMPLEX

The negotiator left the room with a lingering sense of unease, suspecting that the other party had withheld critical information during the final hour of the talks.

Synonyms
Antonyms
Origin

From linger + -ing.

Usage

Typically used attributively before a noun. When used predicatively, it often follows 'be' or 'remain'.

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