How to pronounce linger
Say it like LING-gher. Linger has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (LING).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce linger. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- LING
- gher
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Linger pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- LINGSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- gherKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "er" in butter.
American vs British pronunciation of linger
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
British respelling: LING-guh.
What does linger mean?
- To stay or remain in a place or situation, especially as if unwilling to depart or not easily able to do so.
- To remain alive or existent although still proceeding toward death or extinction; to die gradually.
- To consider or contemplate for a period of time; to engage in analytic thinking or discussion.
Where does linger come from?
From Middle English lengeren, frequentative of lengen (“to stay, dwell, tarry”), from Old English lenġan (“to lengthen, delay, extend”), from Proto-West Germanic *langijan, from Proto-Germanic *langijaną (compare West Frisian lingje (“to li
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Opposite meaning
Words that rhyme with linger
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of linger.
Questions about saying linger
How do you pronounce linger?
Say LING-gher. The American pronunciation is /ˈlɪŋɡɚ/. In British English it is /ˈlɪŋɡə/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in linger?
Linger has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (LING). Broken into parts: LING · gher.
Is linger pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead. The British form is /ˈlɪŋɡə/ (LING-guh).