What does "cling" mean?
Fruit (especially peach) whose flesh adheres strongly to the pit.
Cling
/ˈklɪŋ/ intj, noun, verb
intj, noun, verb ·Common ·High school level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: Fruit (especially peach) whose flesh adheres strongly to the pit.
- Grammar: cling is listed as intj, noun, verb.
- Nearest alternatives: adhere, stick, abide, accretion.
- Useful contrasts: political transition process, theory changed, unhanding.
- Usage evidence: What the fuck are you up to taking advantage of his proximity to cling to him like a wet T-shirt?!
How to use "cling"
- Start with the primary definition, then check the part of speech before placing the word in a sentence.
- Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "cling" carries the exact meaning, tone, and strength you need.
- Use the example sentence as a context check. If your sentence uses the word differently, confirm that the grammar still fits.
Meaning check
- Does the word fit the sentence's grammar?
- Does it match the intended tone rather than only the dictionary definition?
- Would a simpler synonym be clearer for the reader?
- Is there enough surrounding context to prevent ambiguity?
Source and review context
This entry combines structured lexical data with WordToolSet review checks. Definitions, examples, synonyms, and usage notes may come from different source tables, so the page is designed to show evidence from more than one angle before you rely on "cling" in a final draft.
If a word has several senses, prefer the sense that matches your sentence's grammar and surrounding context. A correct definition can still be the wrong choice when the sentence needs a different register, emphasis, or level of specificity.
Before you rely on this definition
Read the first definition as a starting point, then check the example, synonyms, and part of speech before treating "cling" as the right word for your sentence.
If your draft is formal, technical, persuasive, or sensitive, compare "cling" with a nearby alternative so the final choice matches both meaning and reader expectation.
Compare nearby meanings
- Use synonyms when you need a softer, stronger, simpler, or more specific word.
- Use antonyms to check the boundary of the meaning and avoid accidental contrast.
- Use the example sentence to confirm the word behaves naturally in context.
- Keep the original wording when a replacement adds complexity without improving precision.
Definition decision workflow
1. Identify the role
Check whether "cling" is acting as intj, noun, verb in your sentence. A definition is only useful when the grammar matches the way the word is being used.
2. Test the nearest option
Compare it with "adhere" and other nearby choices to see whether the sentence needs a softer, stronger, or more familiar word.
3. Confirm with context
Use the example sentence below as an evidence check, then read your own sentence out loud to catch tone or rhythm problems.
Review note: Definition pages are checked for source coverage, sentence evidence, synonym support, and editorial insight before they are treated as approval-ready pages. If the evidence is too thin, the page remains available to users but is kept out of the approval-facing indexed inventory.
Final meaning check
Before publishing a sentence with "cling", ask whether the word helps the reader understand the idea faster. A precise word should reduce confusion, not simply make the sentence look more polished.
When the definition, synonym evidence, and example context point in the same direction, the word is usually a safer choice. When they conflict, revise the sentence or choose a clearer alternative.
Definitions
Noun
- 1 Fruit (especially peach) whose flesh adheres strongly to the pit. countable, uncountable
"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 fruit (especially peach) whose flesh adheres strongly to the pit wordnet
- 3 Adherence; attachment; devotion. countable, uncountable
"a more tenacious cling to worldly reſpects,"
- 4 An ornament that clings to a window so as to be seen from outside. countable, uncountable
"You can make window clings by using thin transparency sheets, school glue, food coloring, and templates."
Verb
- 1 To hold very tightly, as to not fall off.
"Seaweed clung to the anchor."
- 2 To produce a high-pitched ringing sound, like a small bell.
"The tiny chimes clinged the hours and quarters against his right and Kate's left ear. They counted nine and three-quarters."
- 3 hold on tightly or tenaciously wordnet
- 4 To adhere to an object, without being affixed, in such a way as to follow its contours. Used especially of fabrics and films.
- 5 come or be in close contact with; stick or hold together and resist separation wordnet
Show 5 more definitions
- 6 To cause to adhere to, especially by twining round or embracing. transitive
"I[…] clung my legs as close to his sides as I could."
- 7 to remain emotionally or intellectually attached wordnet
- 8 To cause to dry up or wither. transitive
"If thou speak'st false, / Upon the next tree shalt thou hang alive, / Till famine cling thee."
- 9 To dry up or wither. intransitive
"Wood clings."
- 10 To be fond of, to feel strongly about and dependent on. figuratively
Intj
- 1 Imitative of a high-pitched ringing sound.
Antonyms
Example
"What the fuck are you up to taking advantage of his proximity to cling to him like a wet T-shirt?!"
Common questions
What is a synonym for "cling"?
Common synonyms include: adhere, stick, abide, accretion, adh..., adhere.
How do you use "cling" in a sentence?
What the fuck are you up to taking advantage of his proximity to cling to him like a wet T-shirt?!
How do you pronounce "cling"?
Pronounced /ˈklɪŋ/.
Etymology
Etymology 1
From Middle English clingen, from Old English clingan (“to adhere”), from Proto-West Germanic *klingan, from Proto-Germanic *klinganą. Cognate with Danish klynge (“to cluster, to crowd”). Compare clump.
Etymology 2
Imitative; compare clink, clang.