linger

lin·ger (liŋ′gər)

intransitive verb

Etymology: North ME lengeren, freq. of lengen, to delay, stay < OE lengan, to lengthen, delay < base of lang, long

transitive verb

to spend (time) idly, slowly, etc.

lin′·gerer noun lin′·ger·ing adjective lin′·ger·ingly adverb

To go reluctantly
tarry, stay, wait, saunter, lag, trail, hesitate, delay, plod, trudge, traipse, falter, totter, stagger, dawdle, lumber, procrastinate, slouch, shuffle, trifle, potter, fritter away time, shilly-shally, dillydally, idle, crawl, loll, vacillate, take one's time, wait, putter, hobble, be dilatory, be tardy, be long, sit around*, hang around*, hang back*, let the grass grow under one's feet*; see also loiter.
Antonyms hasten, hurry*, speed. *
To go slowly
hang on, remain, be moribund; see delay 1, hinder. See syn. study at wait.

Object

aftertaste: Lovely and fresh on the palate with a lingering aftertaste.
suspicion: A series of investigations into his death has left many questions unanswered and lingering suspicions that the full truth has yet to emerge.
resentment: Did he nurture a lingering resentment of how a Jewish doctor once treated his mother for cancer?
doubt: At all times there was a lingering doubt about Lamb's commitment.
odor: Then the man mysteriously vanished leaving the lingering odor of sulfur in the air.
kiss: Leaving the lingering velvety kiss of Lady Luck aside, the key to big fish is the right local guide.

Preposition: on

palate: Rich, intense with a wonderfully honeyed aftertaste that lingers long on the palate.

Preposition: over

lunch: It is ideal for quick coffee or a longer linger over lunch.

Modifying Another Word

awhile: This always seems to encourage people to linger awhile.
lovingly: Unconsciously, this is what we are doing each time we go into a garden and linger lovingly over a particular flower or plant.

Followed by an intransitive particle

on: This can happen for a short period of time or, in some cases, it can linger on.
over: That element of surprise always lingered over their set.
around: The topic of new barbel rods had been lingering around over the course of the year.

Followed by a transitive particle

over: You can pop in for coffee, have a bite to eat or linger over a cocktail.

Preposition: in

memory: Harris also has a good ear for dialog, some of which lingers in the memory.
mind: This is a book that lingers in the mind.
shadow: After decades of lingering in the familial shadows, Linda Gail Lewis is finally achieving a measure of fame as a solo artist.
air: The question lingers in the air of heaven like an accusation.
mouth: It has an extremely punchy nose [ smell ] but it also lingers in the mouth.

Preposition: for

while: The scream lingered for a while, even after the portal closed with a weird little pop.

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