cling

[klɪŋ]

cling Definition

• 1. to hold onto something tightly or to refuse to stop holding it
• 2. to 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

Synonyms for cling

• grasp
• adhere
• clasp
• hold on
• stick

Antonyms for cling

• release
• detach
• let go

Idioms Using cling

• cling like a limpet

  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.

• cling to the past

  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.

• cling and claw

  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

• cling film

  a thin plastic film used for wrapping food to keep it fresh

  Example

  Wrap the leftovers in cling film before putting them in the fridge.

• clingy

  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.

• cling to life

  to struggle to survive or to hold onto one's existence

  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'

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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.