lin ‧ ger ‧ ing /ˈlɪŋɡ ə rɪŋ/ BrE AmE adjective [usually before noun]
continuing to exist for longer than is usual or desirable
lingering doubts/suspicions etc
Any lingering hopes of winning the title soon disappeared.
Mr Wilkins suffered a lingering death.
lingering smell/aroma/odour
the lingering aroma of chocolate
—lingeringly adverb