linger
Translation
to linger, to loiter, to remain
Examples
They lingered over their coffee for another hour.
They lingered over their coffee for another hour.
The smell of smoke lingered in the air.
The smell of smoke lingered in the air.
The doubt lingered in her mind.
The doubt lingered in her mind.
Grammar Patterns
((~)) ((over sth.)) to stay somewhere for longer than is necessary They lingered over their coffee.
((~)) to continue to exist for a long time The smell of smoke lingered in the air.
Similar Words
loiter, remain, persist; Antonyms: leave, depart, vanish
Etymology
From Middle English 'lengen', from Old English 'lengan' meaning 'to prolong, delay'. Related to 'long'.
Memory Tips
Connect it to the word 'long'. To linger is to stay for a long time.