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
1
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 notesIn 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
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Word forms
- Third person singular
- hoves
- Past tense
- hoved
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
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
See all rhymes for hove →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.
