Cling means to hold on very tightly. We use it when something or someone stays close without letting go.
The child clings to her mother’s hand.
The coat clings to my body when wet.
Cling can mean to stick tightly on a surface. For example, dirt or paint that stays stuck to something.
Dirt clings to wet shoes very fast.
Paint will cling better on clean walls.
Cling can also mean staying very close to someone because of feelings or needing help. It shows strong emotional or physical dependence.
The baby clings to her mother when scared.
He clings to old memories every day.
Cling can describe when someone keeps believing something and does not want to change. It means refusing to give up ideas or habits.
She clings to her opinions despite advice.
Some people cling to old traditions tightly.
Cling can mean to stay close lightly, like fog or a sound that does not disappear quickly. It shows staying nearby for some time.
The fog clings to the mountains all night.
The sound clings in the empty room.
As a noun, cling means a tight hold or grip on someone or something. This use is less common and describes the act of holding.
He felt a cling on his arm in the dark.
The baby's cling was very strong and warm.
In political or social talk, cling means to hold on tightly to power or control, often in a way that others do not like.
The leader clings to power despite protests.
Some rulers cling to control too long.
In linguistics, cling means a sound or syllable stays closely attached to another word when speaking, especially in connected speech.
The final consonant clings to the next word’s vowel.
In fast speech, sounds cling and become linked.
