hoververb
uk/ˈhɒv.ər/us/ˈhʌ.vɚ/[ I usually + adv/prep ] to stay in one place in the air, usually by moving the wings quickly:
A hawk hovered in the sky, waiting to swoop down on its prey.
I heard the noise of a helicopter hovering overhead.
[ I usually + adv/prep ] to stand somewhere, especially near another person, eagerly or nervously waiting for their attention:
A waiter hovered at the table, ready to take our order.
I could sense him behind me, hovering and building up the courage to ask me a question.
[ I + prep ] to stay at or near a particular level:
Inflation is hovering at three percent.
[ I + adv/prep, T ] to put the cursor on a computer screen in a particular place without clicking on it:
The link changes to green when the mouse hovers over it.
If you hover the mouse pointer over the entry, the full web address will be displayed.
Thesaurus: synonyms and related words
Movement through the air
- airborne
- flight
- flit
- float
- flown
- fly
- levitate
- lift
- skim
- skip
- soar
- swish
- swishy
- swoop
- track
- waft
- wheel
- wing
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You can also find related words, phrases, and synonyms in the topics:
Waiting
Animal (non-human) behaviour
Zoology: ornithology & bird-watching
Keeping and staying the same