To cling means to hold on tightly to something, often because you're afraid of falling or losing it. When you climb a tall tree, you might cling to the branches as you reach for the next handhold. A frightened child might cling to their parent's leg in a crowded place. Spider-Man clings to walls, and wet clothes cling uncomfortably to your skin after you get caught in the rain.

The word often suggests an emotional quality beyond just physical holding. Someone might cling to old memories, to a favorite stuffed animal from childhood, or to beliefs that comfort them. When we say someone is clingy, we usually mean they have trouble being independent: a clingy friend might get upset whenever you want to play with someone else, or a clingy younger sibling might follow you everywhere.

Things can cling together naturally too. Static electricity makes socks cling to your sweater in the dryer. Plastic wrap clings to a bowl. Burrs cling to your pants after a walk through tall grass, which is exactly how they spread their seeds to new locations.