verb

linger

to linger, to loiter, to remain, to persist

The smell of coffee lingered in the air.

The smell of coffee lingered in the air.

He lingered after the party to help clean up.

He lingered after the party to help clean up.

The doubt lingered in her mind.

The doubt lingered in her mind.

((sb./sth.)) lingers to stay somewhere for a long time The smell of coffee lingered in the air.

((sb.)) lingers ((over sth.)) to continue to think about (sth.) unpleasant The doubt lingered in her mind.

Synonyms: loiter, remain, persist; Antonyms: leave, depart, vanish

From Old English 'lengan', meaning 'to make long, to prolong'.

Think of something staying for a 'long' time. 'Linger' sounds like 'longer'.

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