Cling

Pronunciation

• IPA: /ˈklɪŋ/
• US IPA: /ˈkliːŋ/
• Rhymes: -ɪŋ

Origin

From Old English clingan ("to adhere"); akin to Danish klynge ("to cluster, to crowd"). Compare clump.

Full definition of cling

Noun

1. Fruit (especially peach) whose flesh adheres strongly to the pit.
• 1908, O. Henry, Hostages to Momus:Antelope steaks and fried liver to begin on, and venison cutlets with chili con carne and pineapple fritters, and then some sardines and mixed pickles; and top it off with a can of yellow clings and a bottle of beer.
2. adherence; attachment; devotion
• MiltonA more tenacious cling to worldly respects.

Verb

1. (hold tightly)To hold very tightly, as to not fall off.Seaweed clung to the anchor.
• Mrs. HemansAnd what hath life for thee
  That thou shouldst cling to it thus?
2. To adhere to an object, without being affixed, in such a way as to follow its contours. Used especially of fabrics and films.
3. (transitive) To cause to adhere to, especially by twining round or embracing.
• Jonathan SwiftI clung legs as close to his side as I could.
4. (transitive) To cause to dry up or wither.
• ShakespeareIf thou speak'st false,
  Upon the next tree shalt thou hang alive,
  Till famine cling thee.
5. (figurative, with preposition to) to be fond of, to feel strongly about

Derived terms

• cling film
  clingfilm