clinging

UK:^*^*UK and possibly other pronunciationsUK and possibly other pronunciations/ˈklɪŋɪŋ/US:USA pronunciation: IPAUSA pronunciation: IPA/ˈklɪŋɪŋ/

From the verb cling: (⇒ conjugate)
clinging is: ⓘClick the infinitive to see all available inflections: v pres p

cling•ing /ˈklɪŋɪŋ/USA pronunciation adj.

cling¹ /klɪŋ/USA pronunciation v., clung/klʌŋ/USA pronunciation cling•ing, n.
v.

[~ + to] to adhere closely;
stick to: Wet paper clings to glass.
to hold tight, as by grasping or embracing;
cleave: [~ + to + object]The child clung to her mother.[no object;
~ + together]We clung together and wouldn't let go.
to remain attached, as to a person, etc.:[~ + to + object]She's clinging to the past; she has to go forward and forget him.

cling•y, adj., -i•er, -i•est.

cling¹ (kling),USA pronunciation v., clung, cling•ing, n.
v.i.

to adhere closely;
stick to:The wet paper clings to the glass.
to hold tight, as by grasping or embracing;
cleave:The children clung to each other in the dark.
to be or remain close:The child clung to her mother's side.
to remain attached, as to an idea, hope, memory, etc.:Despite the predictions, the candidate clung to the belief that he would be elected.
to cohere.

bef. 900; Middle English clingen, Old English clingan to stick together, shrink, wither; akin to clench

cling′er, n.
cling′ing•ly, adv.
cling′ing•ness, n.

cling² (kling),USA pronunciation n.

by shortening from clingstone, or special use of cling¹ (noun, nominal) 1835–45

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

cling /klɪŋ/ vb (clings, clinging, clung) (intransitive)

(often followed by to) to hold fast or adhere closely (to something), as by gripping or sticking
(followed by together) to remain in contact (with each other)
to be or remain physically or emotionally close

Etymology: Old English clingan; related to clenchˈclinging adj ˈclingingly adv ˈclingy adj ˈclinginess, ˈclingingness n

'clinging' also found in these entries (note: many are not synonyms or translations):

🗣️Forum discussions with the word(s) "clinging" in the title:

Go to Preferences page and choose from different actions for taps or mouse clicks.

URL: https://www.wordreference.com/definition/clinging