Definition

A person who stays in a place longer than necessary, often without a clear purpose.

Example

The lingerer at the café seemed to enjoy watching the world go by.

Conversation

I noticed that some people are such lingerers at the cafe.

Yeah, they just sit there for hours, don't they?

It's like they don't have anywhere to be.

I guess some people just enjoy taking their time.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Lingerer → It is formed from "linger" (from Old English *lingrian*, meaning to be slow or to delay) and "-er" (meaning a person who). A lingerer is a person who delays or stays longer than necessary.

Memory Tip

Think of someone who is 'slow' or 'delaying' ('linger') and the '-er' just means a person. A lingerer is someone who stays longer than they should.

Visually Confused Words