Hoover

Table of contents

1 Etymology 2 Proper noun 3 Noun 4 Transitive verb 5 Intransitive verb 6 Derived terms 7 Usage note

Etymology

The common noun and verb are taken from the brand name of one of the first vacuum cleaners.

Proper noun

Hoover®

1. A brand of vacuum cleaner.

Noun

hoover

1. A generic term for a vacuum cleaner, irrespective of brand.
2. Fellatio.

Transitive verb

to Hoover (Hoovering, Hoovered, Hoovered) or to hoover (hoovering, hoovered, hoovered)

1. To clean (a room, etc) with a vacuum cleaner, irrespective of brand.

   I need to hoover this room.

Intransitive verb

to Hoover (Hoovering, Hoovered, Hoovered) or to hoover (hoovering, hoovered, hoovered)

1. To use a vacuum cleaner, irrespective of brand.

   My husband is upstairs, hoovering.

Derived terms

• hoover up

Usage note

• Hoover is a registered trademark of The Hoover Company . Its use as a generic term is a common example of trademark erosion .