cling (klɪŋ
)
Definitions
verb
Word forms: clings, clinging, clung
(intr) - (often foll by to) to hold fast or adhere closely (to something), as by gripping or sticking
- (foll by together) to remain in contact (with each other)
- to be or remain physically or emotionally close ⇒
to cling to outmoded beliefs
noun
- agriculture mainly US the tendency of cotton fibres in a sample to stick to each other
- agriculture obsolete diarrhoea or scouring in animals
- short for clingstone
Alternative Forms
ˈclinging adjective ˈclinger noun ˈclingingly adverb ˈclingy adjective ˈclinginess ˈclingingness nounWord Origin
Old English clingan; related to clenchUsage examples
The sickly smell of alcohol from the floor-to-ceiling racks of bottles was starting to cling to him.
, Yellow Bird (1993)I've found out who my true friends are and who are the cling ons.
NME (New Musical Express) (2002)If Saddam Hussein attempts to cling to power, he will remain a deadly foe until the end.
New Zealand Herald (2003)The retired roofer tried in vain to cling on by his fingertips.
Sun, News of the World (2000)This process occurs because some substances cling to the paper more tightly than others.
, Science Basic Facts (1989)