Dictionary definition · linger
verb
- remain present although waning or gradually dying"Her perfume lingered on"
- be about a place without any apparent purpose"The high school students like to loiter in the Central Square"
- leave slowly and hesitantly
- take one's time; proceed slowly
- to hang about in a place beyond the proper or usual time"The shy student lingered in the corner"
Source: Open English WordNet (CC BY 4.0).