Definition of cling verb from the Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

cling

verb

/klɪŋ/

Verb Forms

present simple I / you / we / they cling	/klɪŋ/ /klɪŋ/
he / she / it clings	/klɪŋz/ /klɪŋz/
past simple clung	/klʌŋ/ /klʌŋ/
past participle clung	/klʌŋ/ /klʌŋ/
-ing form clinging	/ˈklɪŋɪŋ/ /ˈklɪŋɪŋ/

Phrasal Verbs

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[intransitive] to hold on tightly to somebody/something
- cling to somebody/something survivors clinging to a raft
- Leaves still clung to the branches.
- cling on to somebody/something She clung on to her baby.
- cling on Cling on tight!
- cling together They clung together, shivering with cold.
Synonyms hold
holdhold on ▪ cling ▪ clutch ▪ grip ▪ grasp ▪ clasp ▪ hang onThese words all mean to have somebody/something in your hands or arms.
hold to have somebody/something in your hand or arms:
She was holding a large box.
I held the baby gently in my arms.
hold on (to somebody/something) to continue to hold somebody/something; to put your hand on somebody/something and not take your hand away:
Hold on and don’t let go until I say so.
cling to hold on to somebody/something tightly, especially with your whole body:
Survivors clung to pieces of floating debris.
clutch to hold somebody/something tightly, especially in your hand; to take hold of something suddenly:
She stood there, the flowers still clutched in her hand.
He felt himself slipping and clutched at a branch.
grip to hold on to something very tightly with your hand:
Grip the rope as tightly as you can.
grasp to take a strong hold of somebody/something:
He grasped my hand and shook it warmly.
The object of grasp is often somebody’s hand or wrist.clasp (formal) to hold somebody/something tightly in your hand or in your arms:
They clasped hands (= held each other’s hands).
She clasped the children in her arms.
The object of clasp is often your hands, somebody else’s hand or another person.hang on (to something) to hold on to something very tightly, especially in order to support yourself or stop yourself from falling:
Hang on tight. We’re off!
Patterns
- to hold/clutch/grip/clasp something in your hand/hands
- to hold/clutch/clasp somebody/something in your arms
- to hold/clutch/grip/grasp/clasp/hang on to something
- to hold/cling/hang on
- to hold/clutch/clasp somebody/something to you
- to hold/hold on to/cling to/clutch/grip/grasp/clasp/hang on to somebody/something tightly
- to hold/hold on to/cling to/clutch/grip/grasp/clasp somebody/something firmly
- to hold/hold on to/clutch/grip/clasp/hang on to somebody/something tight
Extra Examples
- I clung closely to my mother's arm.
- She clung fiercely to him.
- He clung onto my arm.
- The children clung together in fear.
- houses clinging precariously to sheer cliffs
- She clung tightly to her baby.
- Survivors clung to pieces of floating debris.
- The ground mist clung closely to the bushes.
Oxford Collocations Dictionary
adverb
- closely
- firmly
- tightly
- …
preposition
- onto
- to
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Find out which words work together and produce more natural sounding English with the Oxford Collocations Dictionary app.
[intransitive] to stick to something
- a dress that clings (= fits closely and shows the shape of your body)
- cling to something The wet shirt clung to his chest.
- The smell of smoke still clung to her clothes.
- Her hair clung to her hot damp skin.
[intransitive] cling (to somebody) (usually disapproving) to stay close to somebody, especially because you need them emotionally
- After her mother's death, Sara clung to her aunt more than ever.
Oxford Collocations Dictionary
adverb
- close
- closely
preposition
- to
See full entry

Word OriginOld English clingan ‘stick together’, of Germanic origin; related to Middle Dutch klingen ‘adhere’, Middle High German klingen ‘climb’, also to clench.

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Phrasal verbs

cling to something | cling on to something

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