# lingering

/ˈɫɪŋɡɝɪŋ/ (US) · /lˈɪŋɡəɹɪŋ/ (UK)

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

## Senses

### 1. lasting a long time

adjective · CEFR B2

lasting for a long time or slow to end.

For teachers: remaining or persisting for a protracted period, often used to describe sensations, doubts, or physical effects.

- The lingering smell of smoke stayed in the curtains for days after the fire.
- Despite the CEO's reassuring speech, there were lingering doubts among the shareholders regarding the company's long-term stability.

Usage: Usually placed before the noun it describes.

### 2. the act of staying

noun · CEFR C1 · Formal

the act of staying in a place longer than necessary.

For teachers: the action of remaining in a location or state; the gerund form of the verb 'linger'.

- His lingering at the door suggested he had something more to say.
- The unnecessary lingering of the guests after the gala had officially ended frustrated the event staff who needed to clean the hall.

Usage: Functions as a noun; often takes a possessive or follows a preposition.

## Examples

- The lingering smell of smoke stayed in the room for hours.
- Despite the warm weather, she still had a lingering cough from the flu she caught last month.
- 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.

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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.