Hover
/ˈhʌvər/
Definitions
3 meaningsTo remain in one place in the air, suspended.
/ˈhʌvər/
To remain in one place in the air.
The drone hovered above the stadium, filming the game.
💡 Simply: Imagine a helicopter staying still in the sky, not moving forward or backward. It's like it's *hovering* in one place.
👶 For kids: To stay in one place in the air, like a bird or a helicopter.
More Examples
The bird hovered in the air, looking for its prey.
The dragonfly hovered near the water lilies.
How It's Used
"The helicopter hovered over the landing zone."
"A hummingbird hovered near the feeder."
To wait or linger close at hand.
/ˈhʌvər/
To linger in the vicinity of a place or person.
The waiter hovered near our table, ready to refill our drinks.
💡 Simply: Imagine someone hanging around, waiting for something to happen or keeping an eye on someone. That's *hovering*.
👶 For kids: To stay close to someone or something, like you're watching.
More Examples
The child hovered anxiously by the door, waiting for his parents.
The reporter hovered outside the courtroom, hoping for a statement.
How It's Used
"He hovered around the buffet table, waiting for the food to be served."
"She hovered over her sick child, constantly checking his temperature."
In computing, to position the mouse pointer over an object (such as an icon) without clicking it.
/ˈhʌvər/
To have something displayed on a computer screen when the cursor is positioned over it.
Hover over the button to see the description.
💡 Simply: When you move your mouse on a computer and put the pointer over something without clicking, like an image on a website, that's called *hovering*. Often a new picture or a little pop-up will appear.
👶 For kids: When you move your mouse pointer over something on the computer and don't click, it might show you something new.
More Examples
By hovering over the text, you can see the definition.
When you hover your mouse cursor over the image, a larger version will appear.
How It's Used
"Hovering over the image reveals the full size."
"When you hover, a tooltip appears."
Idioms & expressions
hover around
To stay in the same area, especially near someone or something.
"The security guard kept hovering around us."
From Middle English hoveren, hovren, from Old English *hofrian, variant of *hofian ('to hover, hang'). Related to Old English hof (a high place, heaven).
The word 'hover' has been used since Middle English and originally referred to hanging in the air.
Memory tip
Imagine a hawk *hovering* above, waiting to swoop down. It's suspended in the air.