What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
hover
Example
The hummingbird hovered over the flower before landing on it. [hovered: past tense]
Example
The drone was able to hover in place for several minutes. [hover: verb]
loiter
Example
The security guard asked the teenagers to stop loitering outside the store. [loitering: present participle]
Example
It's not safe to loiter in this neighborhood at night. [loiter: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Loiter is more commonly used than hover in everyday language. Loiter is often used in warning signs or legal contexts to discourage unwanted behavior, while hover is more specific and less commonly used.
Whatโs the difference in the tone of formality between hover and loiter?
Both hover and loiter are neutral in terms of formality and can be used in both formal and informal contexts.
