verb

hove

hohv

Hove (verb) means a past tense of "heave," used especially in nautical contexts to describe a ship coming into view or coming to a stop. Example: “The tanker hove into sight just after dawn.”

verb

A past tense of "heave," used especially in nautical contexts to describe a ship coming into view or coming to a stop.

"The tanker hove into sight just after dawn."

"The ship hove to and waited out the storm."

How to use hove

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishAn archaic/nautical past tense of "heave" — mostly seen in the fixed phrases "hove into view" and "hove to."

When to use it

Archaic outside nautical and literary use.

Common pairings

hove into view hove to

Word forms

hoved past tense, hoved past tense, hoves singular, hoves singular

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The tanker _____ into sight just after dawn.

Etymology

An old past-tense form of "heave," now surviving mainly in nautical phrases like "hove into view" and "hove to."

Rhymes for hove

love wove move cove Jove rove Dove above drove prove grove stove

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Frequently asked questions

What does “hove” mean?

The word “hove” means a past tense of "heave," used especially in nautical contexts to describe a ship coming into view or coming to a stop. In plain terms, an archaic/nautical past tense of "heave" — mostly seen in the fixed phrases "hove into view" and "hove to.".

How do you pronounce “hove”?

“Hove” is pronounced hohv (/hoʊv/ in IPA).

How do you use “hove” in a sentence?

Here is “hove” used in a sentence: “The tanker hove into sight just after dawn.”

What part of speech is “hove”?

“Hove” is a verb.