afloat
10 synonyms and 1 antonym for afloat, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Adj — Floating on the surface of water rather than sinking.
Synonyms
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Antonyms
How to use afloat
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
keep afloat
stay afloat
financially afloat
Etymology
From Old English a- ("on") plus "float."
Full origin of afloat →Frequently asked questions
What does “afloat” mean?
The word “afloat” means floating on the surface of water rather than sinking. In plain terms, not sinking — either literally in water, or figuratively financially surviving.
How do you pronounce “afloat”?
“Afloat” is pronounced uh-FLOHT (/əˈfloʊt/ in IPA).
How do you use “afloat” in a sentence?
Here is “afloat” used in a sentence: “The life raft kept them afloat until the rescue boat arrived.”
What part of speech is “afloat”?
“Afloat” is an adjective.
Where does the word “afloat” come from?
The word “afloat” comes from Old English. From Old English a- ("on") plus "float.".
Is “afloat” a common word?
“Afloat” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “afloat” have?
“Afloat” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: floating on the surface of water rather than sinking.
