to remain or stay on in a place longer than is usual or expected, as if from reluctance to leave

We lingered awhile after the party.

to remain alive; continue or persist, although gradually dying, ceasing, disappearing, etc.

She lingered a few months after the heart attack. Such practices still linger among the older natives.

to dwell in contemplation, thought, or enjoyment

to linger over the beauty of a painting.

to be tardy in action; delay; dawdle

to linger in discharging one's duties.

to walk slowly; saunter along.

to pass (time, life, etc.) in a leisurely or a tedious manner (usually fol. by away or out )

We lingered away the whole summer at the beach.

Archaic . to draw out or protract.

verb

go , hurry , leave , rush , halt , stop

verb

amble , be dilatory , be long , be tardy , crawl , dally , dawdle , dillydally * , drift , falter , fool around * , fritter away , goof off * , hang around * , hang out * , hesitate , hobble , idle , lag , loll , lumber , mope , mosey , plod , poke , procrastinate , put off , putter , remain , saunter , shuffle , sit around , slouch * , stagger , stay , stick around , stop , stroll , take one’s time , tarry , tool , totter , trail , traipse , trifle , trudge , vacillate , wait , wait around , abide , bide , cling , hang on , last , persist , stand , survive , dilly-dally , drag , loiter , delay , dillydally , dwell , fritter