What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
volitate
Example
The hummingbird volitated from flower to flower, sipping nectar along the way. [volitated: past tense]
Example
The gymnast volitated across the mat, executing a series of flips and twists. [volitating: present participle]
hover
Example
The drone hovered above the crowd, capturing aerial footage of the concert. [hovered: past tense]
Example
The hawk hovered over the field, scanning for prey below. [hovering: present participle]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Hover is more commonly used than volitate in everyday language. Hover is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while volitate is less common and more specialized.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between volitate and hover?
Both volitate and hover are formal words that are often used in scientific or technical contexts. However, hover is more versatile and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, while volitate is more specialized and less commonly used in everyday language.
