hover

/ˈhɒvə(r)/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈhʌvər/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈhə-vər ˈhä-/ (ame, mw)

hover — verb

  • hoverpresent simple I / you / we / they
  • hovershe / she / it
  • hoveredpast simple
  • hovering-ing form

1. to stay positioned in the air at the same spot, typically by using wings or roto

1.動詞不及物B1
釋義

to stay positioned in the air at the same spot, typically by using wings or rotors to push against the air

例句

A hawk hovered above the field, watching carefully for any movement in the grass.

hover above + place — physical location

The rescue helicopter hovered over the canyon while a paramedic was lowered by cable.

同義詞
  • float

    Float suggests being carried passively by air or water, while hover involves active effort to stay in place.

  • suspended

    Suspended describes a state of hanging, often attached from above; hover implies self-powered position-keeping.

  • poised

    Poised suggests being ready to move; hover focuses on staying still in the air.

反義詞
  • soar

    Soar means to rise or glide upward through the air, not stay in one place.

  • dive

    Dive means to drop downward quickly through the air.

文法句型

hover + adverb/preposition (over, above, near)

常見錯誤

❌The bird hovered across the field toward the forest.
✅The bird hovered above the field, watching for insects.
💡Hover means staying still in one place, not moving forward through the air.

2. to stand close to someone, usually because you want something from them or hope

2.動詞不及物B2
釋義

to stand close to someone, usually because you want something from them or hope they will speak to you

例句

The children hovered near the kitchen door, hoping to catch a smell of the freshly baked cookies.

hover near + [place] — waiting expectantly

Aiko hovered nervously by her manager's desk, waiting to discuss the project proposal.

同義詞
  • linger

    Linger suggests staying in a place for pleasure or reluctance to leave; hover adds a sense of anticipation or nervousness.

  • loiter

    Loiter has a stronger negative tone and often implies doing nothing or causing suspicion.

  • lurk

    Lurk suggests hiding or staying in the shadows with a hidden purpose, stronger than hover.

反義詞
  • leave

    Leave means to go away from a place, the opposite of staying near.

  • depart

    Depart means to go away, often for a destination.

文法句型

hover + adverb/preposition (near, around, by)

用法筆記

Often implies that the person hovering makes others feel slightly uneasy, pressured, or observed.

常見錯誤

❌She hovered the table for a few minutes.
✅She hovered near the table for a few minutes.
💡Hover needs a preposition such as 'near', 'around', or 'by' when describing a person's position.

3. to stay within a small range above or below a certain number, rate, or level ove

3.動詞不及物B2
釋義

to stay within a small range above or below a certain number, rate, or level over a period of time

例句

The unemployment rate has hovered around four percent for the past two years.

hover around + [percentage] — economic data

Temperatures hovered near thirty-eight degrees throughout the summer heatwave.

同義詞
  • remain steady

    Remain steady suggests staying at the same level without change; hover allows small ups and downs.

  • stay near

    Stay near is simpler and more general; hover is more precise for numbers and levels.

  • fluctuate around

    Fluctuate around implies wider or more regular changes; hover suggests staying close to a point.

反義詞
  • surge

    Surge means to increase suddenly and sharply.

  • plunge

    Plunge means to drop steeply and quickly.

文法句型

hover + around/at/near + [number/percentage]

用法筆記

Common in financial reports (inflation, prices, interest rates) and weather descriptions (temperatures). The subject is typically an impersonal statistic or measurement.

常見錯誤

❌The price hovered about five dollars.
✅The price hovered around five dollars.
💡For approximate values, the standard collocation is 'hover around', not 'hover about'.

4. to guide a mouse so the on-screen pointer rests over an image, link, or other el

4.動詞及物 / 不及物B1
釋義

to guide a mouse so the on-screen pointer rests over an image, link, or other element without clicking

例句

Hover your mouse over the recipe image, and a list of ingredients will appear.

hover + object + over + [noun] — transitive computer command

When you hover the cursor over the blue link, a short preview of the article shows up.

同義詞
  • mouse over

    Mouse over is an informal alternative used in computing contexts, as in 'mouse over the image'.

文法句型

hover over + [noun phrase]

hover + [object] + over + [noun phrase]

用法筆記

Can be used transitively (hover + mouse/cursor + over) or intransitively (hover over). The transitive form with 'your mouse' is very common in instructions.

常見錯誤

❌Hover the button to see the menu.
✅Hover over the button to see the menu.
💡The preposition 'over' is needed when describing a computer cursor action.

hover — noun