Cling To

Pronunciation: /klɪŋ tuː/

Definitions of cling to

verb to hold on tightly or adhere to something closely

Example Sentences

A1 Children often cling to their parents when they are scared.

A2 The old man clung to the railing as he made his way down the steep stairs.

B1 During difficult times, people tend to cling to their faith for comfort.

B2 Despite the challenges, she continued to cling to her dream of becoming a successful artist.

C1 The politician clings to power at all costs, even if it means compromising his values.

C2 In times of crisis, it is important to cling to hope and stay positive.

Examples of cling to in a Sentence

formal During times of uncertainty, people tend to cling to familiar routines for comfort.

informal When I'm feeling scared, I always cling to my favorite stuffed animal.

slang I always cling to my best friend when things get tough.

figurative Sometimes we cling to the past because it's familiar, even if it's holding us back.

Grammatical Forms of cling to

• past tense: clung
• plural: cling to
• comparative: more clingy to
• superlative: most clingy to
• present tense: clings to
• future tense: will cling to
• perfect tense: have clung to
• continuous tense: is clinging to
• singular: clings to
• positive degree: cling to
• infinitive: to cling to
• gerund: clinging to
• participle: clinging to

Origin and Evolution of cling to

First Known Use: 1250 year

Language of Origin: Old English

Story behind the word: The word 'cling' originated from the Old English word 'clengan' which means to adhere or stick to.

Evolution of the word: Over time, the word 'cling to' has evolved to not only mean physically sticking to something, but also to describe a strong emotional attachment or dependence on something or someone.