hopping
- 01 B2 Upper Intermediate
adj.very busy, crowded, and full of energy.
adj.characterised by a high level of activity or a large, energetic crowd. Informal in register.
Simple“The new club was really hopping on Saturday night with a line out the door.”
In context“By midnight, the downtown district was absolutely hopping, as tourists and locals alike flooded the streets to celebrate the festival.”
UsageUsually follows the verb 'to be' or 'get'.
- 02 A2 Elementary
v.jumping on one foot or moving in small leaps.
v.the present participle of 'hop', describing locomotion via short leaps or jumping on a single leg.
Simple“The children were hopping across the playground like little frogs.”
In context“The injured bird was seen hopping along the fence line, unable to take flight but moving with surprising speed.”
- 03 C2 Proficiency
n.the work of picking hops, which are flowers used to make beer.
n.the seasonal activity of harvesting hops. Historically significant in British English as a working holiday for urban populations.
Simple“In the past, many families from London went to Kent for the hopping season.”
In context“The local museum features an extensive exhibit on the social history of hopping, documenting the annual migration of workers to the hop gardens.”
Teacher's tipThis sense is largely historical and specific to the UK; modern learners will rarely encounter it outside of history books or regional literature.
Synonyms - 04 C2 Proficiency
n.when an electron moves from one energy level to another.
n.the transition of an electron between different energy states or sites within an atom or crystal lattice.
Simple“The scientist explained how electron hopping affects the way the material carries electricity.”
In context“The research paper explores the mechanism of variable-range hopping in disordered semiconductors at extremely low temperatures.”
Synonyms
Alternative spelling (C17) of hoppe, from Middle French houbelon
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.