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Cling vs Clingy - What's the difference?

cling | clingy |

As a noun cling

is fruit (especially peach) whose flesh adheres strongly to the pit.

As a verb cling

is (hold tightly)To hold very tightly, as to not fall off.

As an adjective clingy is

having a tendency to cling.

cling

English

Noun

(en noun)
  • Fruit (especially peach) whose flesh adheres strongly to the pit.
  • * 1908 , , Hostages to Momus :
    • Antelope steaks and fried liver to begin on, and venison cutlets with chili con carne and pineapple fritters, and then some sardines and mixed pickles; and top it off with a can of yellow clings and a bottle of beer.
  • adherence; attachment; devotion
  • * Milton
    • A more tenacious cling to worldly respects.

    Verb

  • (senseid)To hold very tightly, as to not fall off.
    • Seaweed clung to the anchor.
  • * Mrs. Hemans
    • And what hath life for thee / That thou shouldst cling to it thus?
  • To adhere to an object, without being affixed, in such a way as to follow its contours. Used especially of fabrics and films.
  • To cause to adhere to, especially by twining round or embracing.
  • * Jonathan Swift
    • I clung legs as close to his side as I could.
  • To cause to dry up or wither.
  • * Shakespeare
    • If thou speak'st false, / Upon the next tree shalt thou hang alive, / Till famine cling thee.
  • (figurative, with preposition to) to be fond of, to feel strongly about

    • Derived terms

    * cling film / clingfilm

    References

    * * * Notes: English irregular verbs

    clingy

    English

    Adjective

    (er)
  • Having a tendency to cling.
    • a clingy minidress
  • (informal, usually, derogatory) Pathetically possessive of someone, usually a significant other.
    • a clingy ex-girlfriend who won't stop calling

    Synonyms

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    Anagrams

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