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Linger vs Temporary - What's the difference?

linger | temporary |

As a verb linger

is to stay or remain in a place or situation, especially as if unwilling to depart or not easily able to do so.

As an adjective temporary is

not permanent; existing only for a period or periods of time.

As a noun temporary is

one serving for a limited time; short-term employee.

linger

English

Verb

(en verb)
  • To stay or remain in a place or situation, especially as if unwilling to depart or not easily able to do so.
  • * 1859 , , A Tale of Two Cities , ch. 15:
  • His tone lingered in the air, almost like the tone of a musical instrument.
  • * 1891 , , "Mrs. Manstey's View":
  • She lingered in the window.
  • * 2011 April 25, Alice Park, " Upgrading the Disaster," Time :
  • It takes into account . . . predictions of how long radioactive contaminants will linger in the soil and water near the nuclear facility.
  • To remain alive or existent although still proceeding toward death or extinction; to die gradually.
  • * 1887 , , The Woodlanders , ch. 14:
  • He lingered through the day, and died that evening as the sun went down.
  • * 1904 , , "Asmund and Signy" in The Brown Fairy Book :
  • During his absence the queen fell ill, and after lingering for some time she died.
  • (often followed by on) To consider or contemplate for a period of time; to engage in analytical thinking or discussion.
  • * 2011 April 14, Michael Scherer, " Trump's Political Reality Show: Will the Donald Really Run for President?," Time :
  • Trump doesn't linger on the poll.

    Derived terms

    * lingerer * linger on

    temporary

    English

    Adjective

    (en adjective)
  • Not permanent; existing only for a period or periods of time.
  • Existing only for a short time or short times; transient, ephemeral.
  • Synonyms

    * See also

    Noun

    (temporaries)
  • One serving for a limited time; short-term employee.
  • Synonyms

    * temp