Word
cling
To hold on tightly to something or someone, or to stick closely to a surface.
Meanings
To hold on tightly to something or someone, often out of fear, desperation, or affection.
To stick closely to a surface or object.
To remain strongly attached to an idea, belief, hope, or memory, often despite difficulties or changes.
Definition
When something or someone clings, they hold onto another thing very tightly, either physically or metaphorically. This action can express a strong attachment, dependence, or a refusal to let go. It can also describe how one object adheres closely to another.
Examples
- The small child would often cling to her mother's hand when they walked through busy markets.
- Despite the strong winds, the mountain climber managed to cling to the narrow ledge until help arrived.
- The politician continued to cling to his outdated policies, even in the face of widespread criticism.
- After the accident, he found himself clinging to the hope that his family would be okay.
- Her wet dress clung to her body as she emerged from the swimming pool.
Common mistake
Learners sometimes confuse "cling" with "cling on," but "cling on" often implies a struggle or persistence, while "cling" can simply mean to hold tightly.
More at C1 level
- ubiquitous Present, appearing, or found everywhere at the same time.
- xenophobia Xenophobia is a strong dislike or fear of people from other countries or cultures.
- genocide Genocide is the deliberate killing of a large number of people from a particular group in order to …
- conundrum A conundrum is a confusing and difficult problem to solve.
- pretentious Trying to seem more important, intelligent, or cultured than you really are.
More verbs
- analyze To examine something carefully in order to understand it or explain it.
- scrutinize To scrutinize something is to examine it very carefully and in detail.
- affect To affect something is to influence it or cause it to change.
- allude To allude means to mention or suggest something indirectly without saying it clearly.
- elude To elude someone or something is to avoid being caught, understood, or remembered.