Hoover Meaning
/ˈhuːvə(ɹ)/Definition, CEFR level C1, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
Listen pronunciation
Definition
nounA vacuum cleaner, irrespective of brand.
nameAn American surname from German (shared by several famous people including J. Edgar Hoover and Herbert Hoover).
Sentence Examples
She bought a Hoover at the supermarket.
They blamed President Hoover for their situation.
Using the hoover would just be a waste of electricity.
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms:
Antonyms:
None
CEFR Practice Quiz
She decided to ____ the entire living room carpet with a vacuum.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
She decided to ____ the carpets in the living room before the guests arrived for dinner.
Word Origin & History
The surname is an anglicization of German Huber or Low German Hufer, originally designating a landowner or a prosperous small-scale farmer. The common noun and verb are taken from the brand name of one of the first vacuum cleaners (see hoover).
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"I helped Mum tidy up and watched while she Hoovered the carpet."
— 1976, Robert Leeson, The Demon Bike Rider, London: Collins, →ISBN, page 65:
"After another hour, I had Hoovered the carpet and emptied the dustbin, and we all sat down to watch vintage home movies."
— 1984 February 22, Hunter Davies, “Father’s Day”, in Punch, volume 286, number 7473, Punch Publications Ltd., page 33, column 3:
"He was left with a pounding headache and a mouth that tasted as if it had Hoovered the carpet."
— 1995, Peter Lovesey, The Summons, Thorndike, Me.: Thorndike Press; Bath: Chivers Press, →ISBN, page 84:
"I’d also picked up all the clothes and junk from my bedroom floor, and—for the first time ever—“Hoovered” the carpet without being asked."
— 2018, Elissa Brent Weissman, The Length of a String, Dial Books for Young Readers, →ISBN:
""What do you do about dogs that don't like Hoovers?" […] At the first opportunity place the Hoover in the area where your dog is lying calmly, and since it is normally the noise that sends it into those fits of anger, it should be unconcerned with a silent machine. Continue to place the Hoover in those areas that your pet is relaxing until it is familiar with the Hoover being in such close proximity. […] By continuing to distract your pet each time the Hoover is switched on but stationary, you should be able to move it a little closer without causing your pet any alarm."
— 2006, William Houston, Party Tricks for Dogs, Victoria, B.C.: Trafford Publishing, →ISBN:
Explore More C1 Vocabulary Words
CEFR Practice Quiz
She decided to ____ the entire living room carpet with a vacuum.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
She decided to ____ the carpets in the living room before the guests arrived for dinner.