cling

¹

[kling]

verb (used without object)

clung, clinging 

1. to adhere closely; stick to.

   The wet paper clings to the glass.

2. to hold tight, as by grasping or embracing; cleave.

   The children clung to each other in the dark.

   Synonyms: hug, grab, clutch

3. to be or remain close.

   The child clung to her mother's side.

4. to remain attached, as to an idea, hope, memory, etc..

   Despite the predictions, the candidate clung to the belief that he would be elected.

5. to cohere.

noun

1. the act of clinging; adherence; attachment.

cling

²

[kling]

noun

1. a clingstone.

cling

/ klɪŋ /

verb

1. (often foll by to) to hold fast or adhere closely (to something), as by gripping or sticking

2. (foll by together) to remain in contact (with each other)

3. to be or remain physically or emotionally close

   to cling to outmoded beliefs

noun

1. agriculture the tendency of cotton fibres in a sample to stick to each other

2. obsolete,  agriculture diarrhoea or scouring in animals

3. short for clingstone

Other Word Forms

• clingingly adverb
• clingy adjective
• clinginess noun
• clinging adjective
• clinger noun
• clingingness noun
• unclinging adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of cling¹

First recorded before 900; Middle English clingen, Old English clingan “to stick together, shrink, wither”; akin to clench

Origin of cling²

1835–45; by shortening from clingstone, or special use of cling ¹ (noun)

Word History and Origins

Origin of cling¹

Old English clingan; related to _clench

Example Sentences

As a younger cook, I was still learning not to flinch when food darkened in the pan — to trust that the caramelized bits clinging to the bottom weren’t mistakes, but flavor waiting to happen.

From Salon

Scottish Labour constitution spokesman Neil Bibby said the speech was a "desperate attempt" from the first minister "to deflect from his failures and try to cling to power".

From BBC

Mr Tardy captured a brown‑throated three‑toed sloth clinging to a barbed wire post after crossing a road.

From BBC

However, both Fire and Phoenix will be clinging to the fact that if they win their remaining games they could still reach the eliminator - albeit it would require other results to go their way.

From BBC

A hearing for Lyle, 57, began Friday morning, leaving family members who support his case clinging to hope his ruling will be different.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• adhere 
• clasp 
• fasten