1 B1 neutral
To hold tightly to someone or something, usually out of fear, love, or insecurity.
"The frightened child clung to her mother's hand as they entered the hospital."
inseparable
cling to
B1 neutral inseparable transitive
To hold tightly to something or someone; or to refuse to let go of a belief, hope, or feeling.
In plain English
To hold someone or something very tightly; or to keep believing something even when it's difficult.
What does "cling to" mean?
3 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
2 B2 idiomatic neutral
To refuse to abandon a belief, hope, idea, or way of life, even when it is fading or challenged.
"He clung to the hope that she would change her mind, even after months of silence."
“
We will cling to the hope that tomorrow will bring better news.
— General usage widely attributed to Winston Churchill's wartime speeches; similar phrasing in many recorded addresses, 1940–1941
inseparable
3 B1 neutral
(of clothing or material) To fit very tightly against the body or a surface.
"The wet shirt clung to his back in the summer heat."
inseparable
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
To attach oneself to something physically, as an animal clings to a branch.
Actually means
To hold someone or something very tightly; or to keep believing something even when it's difficult.
Usage tip
Both the literal and figurative senses are very common. Figuratively, it often implies that what someone clings to is fading, outdated, or no longer realistic (cling to hope, cling to the past). Often carries emotional weight.
Words that pair with "cling to"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
hope past belief power memory idea tradition life
How to conjugate "cling to"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
cling to
I/you/we/they
3rd person
clings to
he/she/it
Past simple
clinged to
yesterday
Past participle
clinged to
have + pp
-ing form
clinging to
continuous
Hear "cling to" in the wild
Listen to native speakers using "cling to" in real YouTube videos — click a clip to watch it on Looplines.
Keep exploring
Jump to every phrasal verb built on the same verb, particle, or level.