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hovering Meaning & Definition

ˈhə-vər

What Does Hovering Mean?

As a verb, hovering means to position (a computer cursor) over something (such as an image or icon) without selecting it. It is also used to mean to hang fluttering in the air or on the wing.

Hovering at a Glance

Part of speechverb
Pronunciation/ˈhə-vər/
Syllables2
Synonymsdrifting, floating and gliding
Antonymssettling, sinking and diving

Hovering Definition (Verb)

  1. to position (a computer cursor) over something (such as an image or icon) without selecting it

    Many in the class hovered their cursors over words and icons for long periods before committing to clicking their mouse.

  2. to hang fluttering in the air or on the wing

    A hawk hovered overhead.

  3. to remain suspended over a place or object

    a hummingbird hovering over the flowers / Helicopters hovered above us.

  4. to move to and fro near a place : fluctuate around a given point

    Unemployment hovered around 10 percent.

  5. to be in a state of uncertainty, irresolution, or suspense

    … hovering uncomfortably behind a cigar … / The country hovers on the brink of famine.

Synonyms of Hovering

Hovering synonyms and antonyms →

Antonyms of Hovering

Hovering in a Sentence

The hummingbird hovered by the plant.

His pen hovered above the paper.

Filling in the voting form, I hovered between Labour and Liberal Democrat.

A tooltip appears when you hover over this link.

Many in the class hovered their cursors over words and icons for long periods before committing to clicking their mouse.

A hawk hovered overhead.

a hummingbird hovering over the flowers

Helicopters hovered above us.

Unemployment hovered around 10 percent.

… hovering uncomfortably behind a cigar …

The country hovers on the brink of famine.

claimed that the UFO hovered a moment, then spun off into space at incredible speed

after the first big layoff, the possibility of losing their jobs hovered over all of the factory's workers

a hummingbird hovering over the flowers / Helicopters hovered above us.

… hovering uncomfortably behind a cigar … / The country hovers on the brink of famine.

Word Forms & Grammar

hov·ered

hov·er·ing

hov·er·er noun

hover

hovered

hoverer

hoverers

hovering

hovers

hover (over)

hover over

hovering (countable and uncountable, plural hoverings)

Words That Rhyme With Hovering

Origin of Hovering

Middle English hoveren, frequentative of hoven to hover

First Known Use

15th centuryi

Hovering Pronunciation

Hovering is pronounced /ˈhə-vər/ and has 2 syllables, with the main stress on the first syllable (hə).

Questions People Ask About Hovering

What part of speech is hovering?

Hovering is a verb.

What is another word for hovering?

Words with a similar meaning to hovering include drifting, floating and gliding. See the full list of hovering synonyms and antonyms.

What is the opposite of hovering?

The opposite of hovering can be expressed with words like settling, sinking, diving and lunging.

More About Hovering On Meaning Stash

More Words Starting With “Hove”

Merriam-WebsterReference content from Merriam-Webster’s Collegiate® Dictionary and Collegiate® Thesaurus © Merriam-Webster Inc.Data credits & licensing