Hang vs. Hover — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman — Updated on October 4, 2023
Hang" typically means to suspend something from above, while "Hover" means to remain in one place in the air.
Difference Between Hang and Hover
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
"Hang" and "Hover" are verbs that describe different actions, each with its unique applications and implications. "Hang" primarily refers to the action of suspending something from above with the lower part dangling free, often used to depict the method of attaching or positioning objects like pictures on a wall or clothes on a hanger. Conversely, "Hover" signifies the action of remaining in one place in the air, typically used to describe the behavior of birds, insects, helicopters, or drones, staying afloat in the air, usually at a consistent altitude.
When objects "Hang," they are typically stationary, suspended from a higher point, showcasing a state of inactivity or stillness unless acted upon by external forces like wind. They are dependent on a support from above, like a branch or a hook, to remain in position. In contrast, objects or beings that "Hover" exhibit motion, maintaining their position in the air through continuous effort or propulsion, depicting a state of balance between opposing forces, like lift and gravity, often implying a sense of control and stability.
The word "Hang" has varied applications and can also denote a specific way of being positioned or a particular state of existence, like in phrases “hang loose” or “let it all hang out,” expressing a sense of relaxation or freedom. "Hover," on the other hand, can also imply a state of indecision or uncertainty, as in “hovering between options,” reflecting a sense of being unsettled or unresolved, often symbolizing tension or anticipation.
"Hang" can also imply consequences or outcomes, especially in idiomatic expressions like “hang in the balance,” denoting uncertainty or lack of resolution. This usage suggests a state of suspense or tension, often reflecting impending results or judgments. Meanwhile, "Hover" can portray attentiveness or watchfulness, as in “hovering over someone,” indicating close monitoring or supervision, usually suggesting protectiveness or scrutiny.
Understanding the distinct meanings and applications of "Hang" and "Hover" is crucial for their accurate use in language. While "Hang" illustrates suspension, often symbolizing stillness, dependency, or consequence, "Hover" represents sustained presence in the air, embodying motion, balance, control, and sometimes, uncertainty or attentiveness.
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Comparison Chart
Meaning
To suspend from above with the lower part dangling free.
To remain in one place in the air.
Implication
Stationary, dependent on support from above.
In motion, maintaining position through continuous effort.
Symbolism
Often symbolizes stillness, dependency, or consequence.
Often symbolizes balance, control, and sometimes, uncertainty or attentiveness.
Idiomatic Usage
Can imply consequences or outcomes and denote a specific way of being positioned.
Can imply a state of indecision or uncertainty and portray attentiveness or watchfulness.
Application
Used to depict the method of attaching or positioning objects.
Used to describe the behavior of beings or objects staying afloat in the air.
Compare with Definitions
Hang
To suspend or be suspended from above with the lower part dangling free.
The picture will hang on the living room wall.
Hover
To remain in an uncertain state.
He continues to hover between hope and despair.
Hang
To execute by suspending by the neck.
In the past, criminals were often sentenced to hang.
Hover
To place a computer cursor near something without clicking.
If you hover over the icon, you will see more information.
Hang
To remain unresolved or uncertain.
The fate of the project seems to hang in the balance.
Hover
To stay very close to someone, watching them.
The mother tends to hover over her child at the park.
Hang
To fasten from above with no support from below; suspend
Hung the hat on a peg.
Hover
To be in a state of readiness or availability.
The lifeguard has to hover around the pool to ensure everyone's safety.
Hang
To suspend or fasten so as to allow free movement at or about the point of suspension
Hang a door.
Hover
Remain in one place in the air
Army helicopters hovered overhead
Hang
To execute by hanging
They hanged the prisoner at dawn.
Hover
An act of remaining in the air in one place
Keep the model in a stable hover
Hang
Used to express exasperation or disgust
I'll be hanged! Hang it all!.
Hover
To remain floating, suspended, or fluttering in the air
Gulls hovering over the waves.
Hang
To alter the hem of (a garment) so as to fall evenly at a specified height.
Hover
To remain or linger in or near a place
Hovering around the speaker's podium.
Hang
To furnish, decorate, or appoint by suspending objects around or about
Hang a room with curtains.
Hover
To remain in an uncertain state; waver
Hovered between anger and remorse.
Hang
To hold or incline downward; let droop
Hang one's head in sorrow.
Hover
(Computers) To position a pointer over an object or area of the screen, causing a pop-up box to appear or other change to occur
Hover over the image to display the filename.
Hang
(Informal) To make (a turn in a specific direction)
At the next intersection, hang a right.
Hover
To cause to hover
The pilot hovered the helicopter a few feet above the icy river.
Hang
To attach to a wall
Hang wallpaper.
Hover
(Computers) To position (a pointer) over an object or area of the screen
Hovered the cursor over the link.
Hang
To display by attaching to a wall or other structure
Hung four new paintings in the foyer.
Hover
The act or state of hovering
A helicopter in hover.
Hang
(Informal) To give (a nickname or label) to someone.
Hover
(transitive)
Hang
To deadlock (a jury) by failing to render a unanimous verdict.
Hover
To keep (something, such as an aircraft) in a stationary state in the air.
Hang
(Baseball) To throw (a pitch) in such a manner as to fail to break.
Hover
Of a bird: to shelter (chicks) under its body and wings; (by extension) of a thing: to cover or surround (something).
Hang
(Computers) To cause (a computer system) to halt so that input devices, such as the keyboard or the mouse, do not function.
Hover
(obsolete) Of a bird or insect: to flap (its wings) so it can remain stationary in the air.
Hang
To be attached from above with no support from below.
Hover
(intransitive)
Hang
To die as a result of hanging.
Hover
To remain stationary or float in the air.
The hummingbird hovered by the plant.
Hang
To remain suspended or poised over a place or an object; hover
Rain clouds hanging low over the corn fields.
Hover
(figuratively)
Hang
To attach oneself as a dependent or an impediment; cling.
Hover
(computing) Chiefly followed by over: to use a mouse or other device to place a cursor over something on a screen such as a hyperlink or icon without clicking, so as to produce a result (such as the appearance of a tooltip).
A tooltip appears when you hover over this link.
Hang
To incline downward; droop.
Hover
(nautical) To travel in a hovercraft as it moves above a water surface.
Hang
To depend
Everything hangs on the committee's decision.
Hover
An act, or the state, of remaining stationary in the air or some other place.
Hang
To pay strict attention
A student who hangs on the professor's every word.
Hover
A flock of birds fluttering in the air in one place.
Hang
To remain unresolved or uncertain
His future hung in the balance.
Hover
(figuratively) An act, or the state, of being suspended; a suspension.
Hang
To fit the body in loose lines
A dress that hangs well.
Hover
A cover; a protection; a shelter; specifically, an overhanging bank or stone under which fish can shelter; also, a shelter for hens brooding their eggs.
Hang
To be on display, as in a gallery.
Hover
A cover; a shelter; a protection.
Hang
(Baseball) To fail to break or move in the intended way, as a curve ball.
Hover
To hang fluttering in the air, or on the wing; to remain in flight or floating about or over a place or object; to be suspended in the air above something.
Great flights of birds are hovering about the bridge, and settling on it.
A hovering mist came swimming o'er his sight.
Hang
To be imminent; loom
The threat hanging over us.
Hover
To hang about; to move to and fro near a place, threateningly, watchfully, or irresolutely.
Agricola having sent his navy to hover on the coast.
Hovering o'er the paper with her quill.
Hang
To be or become burdensome
Time hung heavy on my hands.
Hover
Be undecided about something; waver between conflicting positions or courses of action;
He oscillates between accepting the new position and retirement
Hang
(Computers) To be halted, as a computer system, so that input devices do not function
The power surge caused my computer to hang, so I had to reboot it.
Hover
Move to and fro;
The shy student lingered in the corner
Hang
To spend one's free time in a certain place. Often used with around or out
Liked to hang out at the pool hall.
Hover
Hang in the air; fly or be suspended above
Hang
To pass time idly; loiter. Often used with around or out
Spent the evening hanging at home.
Hung out for an hour before going to the play.
Hover
Be suspended in the air, as if in defiance of gravity;
The guru claimed that he could levitate
Hang
To keep company; see socially. Often used with around or out
Hangs around with kids from a different school.
Hover
Hang over, as of something threatening, dark, or menacing;
The terrible vision brooded over her all day long
Hang
The way in which something hangs.
Hover
To remain in one place in the air.
The drone can hover steadily above the ground.
Hang
A downward inclination or slope.
Hang
Particular meaning or significance.
Hang
(Informal) The proper method for doing, using, or handling something
Finally got the hang of it.
Hang
A suspension of motion; a slackening.
Hang
(intransitive) To be or remain suspended.
The lights hung from the ceiling.
Hang
(intransitive) To float, as if suspended.
The smoke hung in the room.
Hang
(intransitive) To veer in one direction.
Hang
To rebound unexpectedly or unusually slowly, due to backward spin on the ball or imperfections of the ground.
Hang
(transitive) To hold or bear in a suspended or inclined manner or position instead of erect.
He hung his head in shame.
Hang
(transitive) To cause (something) to be suspended, as from a hook, hanger, hinges, or the like.
Hang those lights from the ceiling.
To hang a door
Hang
To kill (someone) by suspension from the neck, usually as a form of execution or suicide. Category:en:Capital punishment
The culprits were hanged from the nearest tree.
Hang
To be executed by suspension by one's neck from a gallows, a tree, or other raised bar, attached by a rope tied into a noose.
You will hang for this, my friend.
Hang
(used in maledictions) To damn.
Hang
To loiter; to hang around; to spend time idly.
I didn't see anything, officer. I was just hanging.
Hang
(transitive) To exhibit (an object) by hanging.
Hang
(transitive) To apply (wallpaper or drywall to a wall).
Let's hang this cute animal design in the nursery.
Hang
(transitive) To decorate (something) with hanging objects.
Let's hang the nursery with some new wallpaper.
Hang
To remain persistently in one's thoughts.
Hang
(transitive) To prevent from reaching a decision, especially by refusing to join in a verdict that must be unanimous.
One obstinate juror can hang a jury.
Hang
To stop responding to manual input devices such as the keyboard and mouse.
The computer has hung again. Not even pressing ++
When I push this button the program hangs.
Hang
To cause (a program or computer) to stop responding.
The program has a bug that can hang the system.
Hang
To cause a piece to become vulnerable to capture.
If you move there, you'll hang your rook.
Hang
To be vulnerable to capture.
In this standard opening position White has to be careful because the pawn on e4 hangs.
Hang
To throw a hittable off-speed pitch.
Hang
To attach or cause to stick (a charge or accusation, etc.).
Hang
The way in which something hangs.
This skirt has a nice hang.
Hang
A mass of hanging material.
Hang
A slackening of motion.
Hang
A sharp or steep declivity or slope.
Hang
(computing) An instance of ceasing to respond to input.
We sometimes get system hangs.
Hang
A grip, understanding.
Hang
(colloquial)
Hang
The smallest amount of concern or consideration; a damn.
I don't give a hang.
They don't seem to care a hang about the consequences.
Hang
A hangout.
Hang
A person that someone hangs out with.
Hang
Cheap processed ham (cured pork), often made specially for sandwiches.
Hang
Alternative spelling of Hang
Hang
To suspend; to fasten to some elevated point without support from below; - often used with up or out; as, to hang a coat on a hook; to hang up a sign; to hang out a banner.
Hang
To fasten in a manner which will allow of free motion upon the point or points of suspension; - said of a pendulum, a swing, a door, gate, etc.
Hang
To fit properly, as at a proper angle (a part of an implement that is swung in using), as a scythe to its snath, or an ax to its helve.
Hang
To put to death by suspending by the neck; - a form of capital punishment; as, to hang a murderer.
Hang
To cover, decorate, or furnish by hanging pictures, trophies, drapery, and the like, or by covering with paper hangings; - said of a wall, a room, etc.
Hung be the heavens with black.
And hung thy holy roofs with savage spoils.
Hang
To paste, as paper hangings, on the walls of a room.
Hang
To hold or bear in a suspended or inclined manner or position instead of erect; to droop; as, he hung his head in shame.
Cowslips wan that hang the pensive head.
Hang
To prevent from reaching a decision, esp. by refusing to join in a verdict that must be unanimous; as, one obstinate juror can hang a jury.
Hang
To be suspended or fastened to some elevated point without support from below; to dangle; to float; to rest; to remain; to stay.
Hang
To be fastened in such a manner as to allow of free motion on the point or points of suspension.
Hang
To die or be put to death by suspension from the neck.
Hang
To hold for support; to depend; to cling; - usually with on or upon; as, this question hangs on a single point.
Hang
To be, or be like, a suspended weight.
Life hangs upon me, and becomes a burden.
Hang
To hover; to impend; to appear threateningly; - usually with over; as, evils hang over the country.
Hang
To lean or incline; to incline downward.
To decide which way hung the victory.
His neck obliquely o'er his shoulder hung.
Hang
To slope down; as, hanging grounds.
Hang
To be undetermined or uncertain; to be in suspense; to linger; to be delayed.
A noble stroke he lifted high,Which hung not, but so swift with tempest fellOn the proud crest of Satan.
Hang
Of a ball: To rebound unexpectedly or unusually slowly, due to backward spin on the ball or imperfections of ground.
Hang
To fail to curve, break, or drop as intended; - said of pitches, such as curve balls or sliders.
Hang
To cease to operate normally and remain suspended in some state without performing useful work; - said of computer programs, computers, or individual processes within a program; as, when using Windows 3.1, my system would hang and need rebooting several times a day.
Hang
The manner in which one part or thing hangs upon, or is connected with, another; as, the hang of a scythe.
Hang
Connection; arrangement; plan; as, the hang of a discourse.
Hang
A sharp or steep declivity or slope.
Hang
A special way of doing something;
He had a bent for it
He had a special knack for getting into trouble
He couldn't get the hang of it
Hang
The way a garment hangs;
He adjusted the hang of his coat
Hang
A gymnastic exercise performed on the rings or horizontal bar or parallel bars when the gymnast's weight is supported by the arms
Hang
Be suspended or hanging;
The flag hung on the wall
Hang
Cause to be hanging or suspended;
Hang that picture on the wall
Hang
Kill by hanging;
The murdered was hanged on Friday
Hang
Let drop or droop;
Hang one's head in shame
Hang
Fall or flow in a certain way;
This dress hangs well
Her long black hair flowed down her back
Hang
Be menacing, burdensome, or oppressive;
This worry hangs on my mind
The cloud of suspicion hangs over her
Hang
Give heed (to);
The children in the audience attended the recital quietly
She hung on his every word
They attended to everything he said
Hang
Be suspended or poised;
Heavy fog hung over the valley
Hang
Hold on tightly or tenaciously;
Hang on to your father's hands
The child clung to his mother's apron
Hang
Be exhibited;
Picasso hangs in this new wing of the museum
Hang
Prevent from reaching a verdict, of a jury
Hang
Decorate or furnish with something suspended;
Hang wallpaper
Hang
Be placed in position as by a hinge;
This cabinet door doesn't hang right!
Hang
Place in position as by a hinge so as to allow free movement in one direction;
Hang a door
Hang
Of meat, in order to get a gamey taste;
Hang the venison for a few days
Hang
To attach or place something so that it is held up from above.
He decided to hang his coat on the hook.
Hang
To spend time or linger in a place or with a person or group.
They usually hang at the coffee shop after classes.
Common Curiosities
What does Hang primarily refer to?
Hang primarily refers to suspending something from above with the lower part dangling free.
What is the meaning of Hover?
Hover means to remain in one place in the air, typically by beating the air with wings or by mechanical means.
Can Hang denote a specific way of being positioned?
Yes, Hang can denote a specific way of being positioned or a particular state of existence, often used idiomatically.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
