Lingerer: meaning, definitions and examples

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lingerer

 

[ ˈlɪŋɡərər ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

in legal context

A person who stays in a place longer than necessary, especially in order to obtain benefits.

Synonyms

loiterer, sponge, trespasser.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
lingerer

Someone who stays in a place longer than necessary, often because they are hesitant to leave.

  • He was a lingerer at the party, chatting with everyone until the very end.
  • The lingerer remained at the cafe, sipping coffee slowly.
loiterer

Someone who stands or waits around idly without a clear purpose, often in public places. This term can sometimes carry a negative connotation.

  • The loiterer was seen waiting outside the store for over an hour.
  • There are often loiterers in the park after dark.
trespasser

Someone who enters private property without permission, often implying illegal or unauthorized entry.

  • The trespasser was caught sneaking into the abandoned building.
  • Trespassers will be prosecuted, as stated on the sign.
sponge

A person who relies on others for money, food, or other resources without giving anything back. This term carries a negative connotation.

  • He's a sponge, always asking for money but never paying it back.
  • Don't be a sponge; try to contribute something to the group.

Examples of usage

  • He was exposed as a benefit fraudster and a convicted lingerer.
  • The security guard caught the lingerer trying to sneak into the building after hours.
Context #2 | Noun

informal context

A person who lingers without purpose or intention.

Synonyms

dawdler, idler, loafer.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
lingerer

Someone who stays in a place longer than necessary, often because they don't want to leave.

  • After the party ended, he was the only lingerer, chatting for hours
loafer

Someone who avoids work and prefers relaxation, often used in a critical way.

  • Instead of getting a job, he spent his days as a loafer, lounging at home
dawdler

Someone who takes more time than necessary to complete a task, often moving slowly and wasting time.

  • On the way to school, she was a dawdler, stopping to look at everything
idler

Someone who avoids work or is habitually lazy, often with a negative connotation.

  • He was known as an idler, never taking any responsibilities seriously

Examples of usage

  • The park was filled with lingerers enjoying the sunshine.
  • She was known as the office lingerer, always finding excuses to stay late.

Translations

Translations of the word "lingerer" in other languages:

🇵🇹 permanecer

🇮🇳 देर करने वाला (der karne wala)

🇩🇪 Zauderer

🇮🇩 berlama-lama

🇺🇦 баритися

🇵🇱 ociągać się

🇯🇵 ぐずぐずする人 (guzuguzu suru hito)

🇫🇷 traînard

🇪🇸 rezagado

🇹🇷 oyalanan

🇰🇷 꾸물거리는 사람 (kkumulgeorineun saram)

🇸🇦 متواني (mutawani)

🇨🇿 otálející

🇸🇰 váhavý

🇨🇳 磨蹭的人 (mó cèng de rén)

🇸🇮 obotavljivec

🇮🇸 hikandi

🇰🇿 кешігуші (keshigushi)

🇬🇪 დროის გამლეჯი (drois gamleji)

🇦🇿 təxirə salan

🇲🇽 rezagado

Etymology

The word 'lingerer' originated from the verb 'linger,' which first appeared in the 14th century. The term 'linger' is derived from the Old English word 'lengan,' meaning 'to prolong' or 'delay.' Over time, 'lingerer' evolved to describe someone who stays in a place longer than necessary. The negative connotation of the term is often associated with laziness or suspicious behavior.

Word Frequency Rank

At position #42,104, this word is among the less frequently used terms in English. While interesting to know, it's not crucial for most English learners unless needed for specific purposes.