float
floht
Float (verb) means to rest or stay on the surface of a liquid instead of sinking. Example: “A cork will float in a bowl of water.”
verb
1
To rest or stay on the surface of a liquid instead of sinking.
"A cork will float in a bowl of water."
"Wood floats because it is less dense than water."
"The leaves floated gently down the stream."
2
To drift gently through the air.
"Clouds floated lazily across the summer sky."
"The smell of fresh bread floated through the open window."
"The balloon floated up and over the trees."
3
To suggest an idea for people to consider.
"Could I float a suggestion about changing our meeting time?"
"He floated a few ideas before the team made a decision."
"She floated the idea of a four-day work week at the meeting."
4
To sell a company's shares to the public for the first time on a stock exchange.
"The family business plans to float on the stock market next year."
"The company was floated to raise money for expansion."
"The tech firm floated on the stock exchange last spring."
noun
1
A device that keeps something buoyant in water.
"She held onto a foam float while learning to swim."
"Fishermen use a small float to show when a fish bites."
"The kids splashed around with inflatable floats."
2
A decorated vehicle or trailer used in a parade.
"Children cheered as the pirate float rolled down the high street."
"Each club built a float for the town's summer parade."
"The carnival float was covered in flowers and lights."
3
A small amount of cash kept in a till to give change.
"We need a bigger float because Saturday is always busy."
"The manager checked the float in the till each morning."
"The cashier counted the float before opening the shop."
4
A cold drink with a scoop of ice cream floating in it.
"For dessert she ordered a cola float with two scoops."
"A vanilla float is the perfect treat on a hot day."
"He ordered a root beer float on the hot afternoon."
How to use float
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo stay on top of a liquid or drift through the air, or (more loosely) to put an idea out there or list a company on the stock market.
Common mistake
Don't confuse the parade sense with the stock-market sense — context usually makes it obvious which is meant.
Common pairings
float on water
float an idea
float the company
a parade float
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Word forms
- Plural
- floats
- Third person singular
- floats
- Past tense
- floated
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
A cork will _____ in a bowl of water.
Etymology
From Old English flotian ("to float"), from a Germanic root related to flow and fleet.
Related words
Rhymes for float
See all rhymes for float →Frequently asked questions
What does “float” mean?
The word “float” means to rest or stay on the surface of a liquid instead of sinking. In plain terms, to stay on top of a liquid or drift through the air, or (more loosely) to put an idea out there or list a company on the stock market.
How do you pronounce “float”?
“Float” is pronounced floht (/floʊt/ in IPA).
How do you use “float” in a sentence?
Here is “float” used in a sentence: “Wood floats because it is less dense than water.”
What part of speech is “float”?
Depending on how it is used, “float” can be a verb and a noun.
Where does the word “float” come from?
The word “float” comes from Old English. From Old English flotian ("to float"), from a Germanic root related to flow and fleet.
Is “float” a common word?
“Float” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.
How many meanings does “float” have?
“Float” has 8 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to rest or stay on the surface of a liquid instead of sinking.
What is the difference between 'float' and 'sink'?
To 'float' is to rest or stay on the surface of a liquid instead of sinking. To 'sink' is to go down below the surface. Whether an object floats or sinks depends on its density compared with the liquid.
What is the difference between 'float' and 'drift'?
'Float' means to rest on a liquid's surface or move gently through air or water without sinking. 'Drift' stresses being carried along slowly by a current or the air, often without control. Something can float in one spot, but to drift is to move.
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