cling Definition
- 1to hold onto something tightly or to refuse to stop holding it
- 2to stay close or attached to something or someone
Using cling: Examples
Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "cling" can be used in various situations through the following examples!
Example
The child clung to his mother's hand as they crossed the street.
Example
The wet shirt clung to her body.
Example
He clung to the hope that he would see her again.
Example
The leaves clung to the trees despite the strong wind.
cling Synonyms and Antonyms
Idioms Using cling
to hold onto something tightly and persistently, often to the point of being difficult to remove
Example
The child clung to his mother like a limpet, refusing to let go.
to have a strong attachment or nostalgia for things that have happened in the past, often to the point of hindering progress or growth
Example
He needs to let go of the past and move on instead of clinging to it.
to hold onto something desperately and with great effort, often in a situation of danger or uncertainty
Example
She clung and clawed her way up the steep cliff, determined to reach the top.
Phrases with cling
Example
Wrap the leftovers in cling film before putting them in the fridge.
having a strong emotional attachment or dependence, often to the point of being overly possessive or needy
Example
He became very clingy after their first date, constantly calling and texting her.
Example
Despite his injuries, he managed to cling to life until the paramedics arrived.
Origins of cling
from Old English 'clingan', meaning 'to stick together, shrink, wither'
Summary: cling in Brief
The verb 'cling' [klɪŋ] means to hold onto something tightly or to refuse to stop holding it. It can also mean staying close or attached to something or someone. Examples include 'The child clung to his mother's hand as they crossed the street,' and 'The leaves clung to the trees despite the strong wind.' 'Cling' extends into phrases like 'cling film,' and idioms like 'cling like a limpet,' denoting persistent attachment, and 'cling and claw,' implying desperate effort.