What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
loitering
Example
The police officer asked the group of teenagers to stop loitering outside the store. [loitering: verb]
Example
He was caught loitering in the park after hours. [loitering: present participle]
lingering
Example
The smell of her perfume lingered in the room long after she had left. [lingered: past tense]
Example
He had a lingering feeling of sadness after his friend's departure. [lingering: gerund or present participle]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Lingering is more commonly used than loitering in everyday language. Lingering is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while loitering is less common and often associated with negative connotations.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between loitering and lingering?
Both loitering and lingering are typically associated with an informal tone and are not commonly used in formal contexts.
