lingering
- 01 B2 Upper Intermediate
adj.lasting for a long time or slow to end.
adj.remaining or persisting for a protracted period, often used to describe sensations, doubts, or physical effects.
Simple“The lingering smell of smoke stayed in the curtains for days after the fire.”
In context“Despite the CEO's reassuring speech, there were lingering doubts among the shareholders regarding the company's long-term stability.”
UsageUsually placed before the noun it describes.
Synonyms - 02 C1 Advanced
n.the act of staying in a place longer than necessary.
n.the action of remaining in a location or state; the gerund form of the verb 'linger'.
Simple“His lingering at the door suggested he had something more to say.”
In context“The unnecessary lingering of the guests after the gala had officially ended frustrated the event staff who needed to clean the hall.”
UsageFunctions as a noun; often takes a possessive or follows a preposition.
“Astronauts often return with puffy faces, stuffy noses and a feeling similar to a lingering cold.”
“That’s largely because of the Covid-19 pandemic’s lingering effects.”
From linger + -ing.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.