verb A2 Elementary Common

float

floht

Float (verb) means to rest or stay on the surface of a liquid instead of sinking. Example: “Wood floats because it is less dense than water.”

verb

To rest or stay on the surface of a liquid instead of sinking.

"Wood floats because it is less dense than water."

"The leaves floated gently down the stream."

To drift gently through the air.

"The balloon floated up and over the trees."

To suggest an idea for people to consider.

"She floated the idea of a four-day work week at the meeting."

To sell a company's shares to the public for the first time on a stock exchange.

"The tech firm floated on the stock exchange last spring."

noun

A device that keeps something buoyant in water.

"The kids splashed around with inflatable floats."

A decorated vehicle or trailer used in a parade.

"The carnival float was covered in flowers and lights."

A small amount of cash kept in a till to give change.

"The cashier counted the float before opening the shop."

A cold drink with a scoop of ice cream floating in it.

"He ordered a root beer float on the hot afternoon."

How to use float

Learner’s notes

In 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

Word forms

floated past tense, floats plural, floats singular

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Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

Wood _____ because it is less dense than water.

Etymology

From Old English flotian ("to float"), from a Germanic root related to flow and fleet.

Origin: Old English

Synonyms

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bob drift glide hover waft propose

Related words

project range drive offer Robert suggest flow bob

Rhymes for float

oat boat coat goat moat bloat gloat groat throat afloat tugboat rowboat

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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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