Question

linger

Accepted Answer

lin‧ger /ˈlɪŋɡə $ -ər/ verb [intransitive]
1(also linger on) to continue to exist, be noticeable etc for longer than is usual or desirable:
a taste that lingers in your mouth
Unfortunately the tax will linger on until April.
2 (also linger on) to stay somewhere a little longer, especially because you do not want to leave
linger over
They lingered over coffee and missed the last bus.
I spent a week at Kandersteg and could happily have lingered on.
3[always + adverb/preposition] to continue looking at or dealing with something for longer than is usual or desirable
linger on/over
Mike let his eyes linger on her face.
There’s no need to linger over this stage of the interview.
4(also linger on) to continue to live although you are slowly dying:
He surprised all the doctors by lingering on for several weeks.
THESAURUS
stay to not leave a place, or to be in a place for a particular period of time: Stay where you are and don’t move. | John only stayed at the party for a couple of hours.
remain formal to stay somewhere. In written English, people often prefer to use remain rather than stay, because it sounds more formal: Some 2,000 protesters remained outside the building and refused to leave. | The judge recommended that he remain in jail for the rest of his life.
linger to stay in a place a little longer than you need to, because you are enjoying yourself, or because you hope to see someone or something: He lingered outside the lecture hall, hoping for a chance to talk to her. | There are plenty of small cafés where you can linger over a cappuccino.
loiter to stay in a place not doing anything – used when you think someone is waiting for the chance to do something bad or illegal: The two men had been seen loitering in the area on the day that the car was stolen.
hang around informal to stay somewhere not doing anything: There are gangs of boys hanging around on street corners. | I don’t mind hanging around for a few minutes. | The boss doesn’t like being kept hanging around.
stick around informal to stay in the same place or situation for a period of time, especially while you are waiting for something to happen or someone to arrive: I decided to stick around and see how it all turned out. | Make up your mind. I’m not going to stick around forever.

Linger Stay Place Continue Longer Lingered I Remain