What term describes guests remaining after an event has finished?

The term "linger" effectively captures the essence of guests staying around after an event has concluded. It implies a sense of hesitation or reluctance to depart, often suggesting that the guests are enjoying the ambiance, conversations, or surroundings and are not in a hurry to leave. This connotation of remaining in place reflects a more extended stay than simply leaving or departing, which can suggest a more definitive act of exiting.

In contrast, the other options—while related—do not convey the same nuance. For example, "depart" and "leave" indicate a prompt or intentional movement away from a location, and "remain" denotes staying in a place without the same emotional or contextual layers that "linger" provides. Thus, "linger" is the most fitting term for guests who choose to stick around after an event, capturing both the action and the underlying sentiment.