Meaning & use

hover

verb·Everyday

To remain suspended in one place in the air, or to linger nearby in an anxious or watchful way.

See it in a sentence

The hummingbird hovered near the feeder before darting away.

Her parents hovered by the door, anxious about her first day at school.

A note on using this word

Hover describes both literal floating in the air and figuratively staying close and watchful, as in a hovering parent.

Words with a similar meaning

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