hover

/ˈhʌvər/

/ˈhʌvə/

Other forms: hovering; hovered; hovers

A hover craft flies low over the ground or water — it hovers. Hover can also mean waver. Think of someone that can’t decide exactly where to land.

To help remember the meaning of hover, think of it as containing the preposition over: things that hover hang over. A temperature can hover around forty degrees, a grade in a class can hover around a B.

Definitions of hover

1. verb

   hang in the air; fly or be suspended above
   types:

   poise

   be motionless, in suspension

   type of:

   fly, wing

   travel through the air; be airborne
2. verb

   be suspended in the air, as if in defiance of gravity
   synonyms: levitate

   levitate

   cause to rise in the air and float, as if in defiance of gravity
3. verb

   hang over, as of something threatening, dark, or menacing
   synonyms: brood, bulk large, loom

   types:

   dominate, eclipse, overshadow

   be greater in significance than

   type of:

   hang

   be menacing, burdensome, or oppressive
4. verb

   linger or remain near a place
   synonyms: linger

   type of:

   hesitate, waffle, waver

   pause or hold back in uncertainty or unwillingness
5. verb

   be undecided about something; waver between conflicting positions or courses of action
   synonyms: oscillate, vacillate, vibrate

   types:

   shilly-shally, shillyshally

   hesitate or be unable to decide; go back and forth on

   type of:

   hesitate, waffle, waver

   pause or hold back in uncertainty or unwillingness