lingers

Lingers is the third-person singular present tense of the verb linger. Linger means to stay in a place longer than is necessary or desired, or to remain present as something gradually fades or persists after an expected departure. It can describe physical staying, such as a person who lingers at a doorway after a meeting, or abstract persistence, such as a memory or scent that continues to be noticeable.

The verb dates to Old and Middle English; its exact origin is uncertain. It expresses gradual persistence or delay and is cognate with related terms in other Germanic languages. The form is commonly found in historical and modern texts, with the present participle lingering used to describe ongoing persistence.

Lingers is intransitive, meaning it does not take a direct object. Common constructions include prepositional phrases such as on, in, or over: "the aroma lingers in the kitchen," "rumors linger on," "she lingered over her coffee." The base form is linger, the past tense is lingered, and the present participle is lingering. It can describe both concrete phenomena and intangible aspects, such as sounds, memories, or impressions.

Nuance and usage: Linger implies persistence beyond the expected or desirable moment, often with a sense of reluctance to depart or a lingering effect that remains after others have left. It is more specific than synonyms like stay or remain and can carry tonal variations from gentle to melancholic depending on context. Common alternatives include tarry, remain, persist, or hover, chosen to match intended nuance.