mouseover

American  

[mous-oh-ver] / ˈmaʊsˌoʊ vər /

noun

1. a website feature that generates the appearance of a pop-up message, image, or hyperlink when a pointer is directed, as by a mouse, over a specific item on the screen.

   Thanks to mouseovers, our online shoppers can quickly view details about the products of interest to them.

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mouseover British  

/ ˈmaʊsˌəʊvə /

noun

1. computing (on the page of a website) an item, esp a graphic, that changes or pops up when the pointer of a mouse moves over it

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Etymology

Origin of mouseover

First recorded in 1990–95; mouse (in the sense “the computer device that moves the pointer”) + over ( def. )

Example Sentences

My tentative offer is marked “Sent,” which—as the mouseover demonstrates—means that I did not acknowledge or accept the offer.

From Slate • Jan. 16, 2026

This phenomenon might already be morphing into something else, because you can't "mouseover" something on a touchscreen phone or tablet – a touch is already interpreted as a "click".

From The Guardian • Jun. 20, 2013

The original versions of any corrections may be viewed as mouseover text.

From Fairfax and His Pride by Vorst, Marie Van

Questionable spellings underlined with original spelling contained in "mouseover"* text box.

From Punch or the London Charivari, Vol. 93, December 10, 1887 by Various