cling in English
- cling⇄adj. clingstone.
Ex. a cling peach. - cling⇄cling, verb, clung,clinging,noun, adjective.
- cling⇄noun clinger.
- cling⇄noun 1. the act of clinging.
(SYN) adherence, attachment.
2. clingstone. - cling⇄v.i. 1. to stick or hold fast.
Ex. A vine clings to its support. Wet clothes cling to the body.
(SYN) adhere.
2. to grasp; embrace.
Ex. The lost child clung to the policeman.
(SYN) clasp.
3. to keep near.
Ex.
cling in Gujarati ગુજરાતી
cling in Kannada ಕನ್ನಡ
cling in Marathi मराठी
Cling
Part of Speech
Verb
Pronunciation
/klɪŋ/
Definitions
- To hold on tightly to something or someone.
- To remain emotionally or physically close to someone or something.
- To adhere or stick to a surface.
Usage Examples
- "The child clung to his mother in fear."
- "Raindrops cling to the window after a storm."
- "Despite his losses, he continued to cling to hope."
Etymology
Derived from Old English clingan, meaning "to adhere" or "to hold tightly," related to German klingen and Dutch klingen.
Synonyms
- Hold
- Grip
- Stick
- Adhere
- Embrace
Antonyms
- Let go
- Release
- Detach
- Abandon
- Drop
Translations
| Language | Translation | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| Spanish | Aferrarse | ah-feh-RAHR-seh |
| French | S'accrocher | sah-kro-shay |
| German | Klammern | klah-muh-ren |
| Chinese | 紧贴 | jǐn tiē |
| Russian | Цепляться | tse-Plya-tsya |
| Hindi | चिपकना | chipak-na |
| Arabic | التشبث | at-tashabbuth |
| Italian | Aderire | ah-deh-REE-reh |
| Portuguese | Apegar-se | ah-peh-GAR-seh |
| Japanese | しがみつく | shiga-mitsuku |
Regional Pronunciation Variations
- American English: /klɪŋ/
- British English: /klɪŋ/
- Australian English: /klɪŋ/
Historical Usage
The word "cling" has been used since Old English times to describe physical adherence. Over time, it has also been used metaphorically to describe emotional attachment.
Cultural Nuances
In some cultures, "clinging" can have a negative connotation, indicating over-dependence. However, in others, it is seen as a sign of love and affection, particularly in familial relationships.
More Information
Clinging behavior is often observed in both physical and emotional contexts. In psychology, attachment theory discusses how children cling to caregivers for security. In physics, the concept of surface adhesion relates to how materials cling to each other.