verb
float
floht
verb
1
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."
2
To drift gently through the air.
"The balloon floated up and over the trees."
3
To suggest an idea for people to consider.
"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 tech firm floated on the stock exchange last spring."
noun
1
A device that keeps something buoyant in water.
"The kids splashed around with inflatable floats."
2
A decorated vehicle or trailer used in a parade.
"The carnival float was covered in flowers and lights."
3
A small amount of cash kept in a till to give change.
"The cashier counted the float before opening the shop."
4
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 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
Word Forms
floated past tense, floats plural, floats singular
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Wood _____ because it is less dense than water.
Etymology
From Old English flotian ("to float"), from a Germanic root related to flow and fleet.