плавающий, плавать, всплывать, поплавок, плот, терка, буй
глагол ↓
- плавать, держаться на поверхности (воды или другой жидкости)
wood floats on water — дерево не тонет в воде 
- плыть, нестись (по течению, по воздуху)
the boat floated down the river — лодка плыла вниз по реке
the clouds float slowly — тучи плывут медленно
dust floats in the air — пыль носится в воздухе
to float before one’s eyes [in one’s mind] — проноситься /промелькнуть/ перед глазами [в уме, в голове]
- затоплять, наводнять
to float oil over a swamp — залить нефтью болото
- спускать (на воду)
- снимать с мели
- сплавлять (лес)
- выпускать (заём, акции)
- пускать в ход (предприятие); обеспечивать поддержку (деньгами)
- пускать (слух)
- амер. проявлять неустойчивость (во взглядах); вносить частые изменения (в обстановку и т. п.)
- тех. работать вхолостую
- тех. быть в равновесии
- нежёстко крепить
- горн. флотировать
- свободно колебаться, плавать (о курсах валют)
- вводить свободно колеблющийся, плавающий курс валют
- быть на седьмом небе; чувствовать наслаждение, быть в приподнятом настроении
- ощущать эйфорию (от наркотика)
ещё 13 вариантов
существительное ↓
- плавучая масса (льда и т. п.)
- пробка, поплавок; буёк
- поплавок гидросамолёта
- буй
- плот, паром
ещё 13 вариантов
Мои примеры
Словосочетания
to float in the mind — проноситься в мыслях
to float a loan — размещать заём
to float across the sky — плыть по небу
to float timber on floodwaters — сплавлять лес в период паводка
scheduled float — запланированный резерв
float switch — поплавковый сигнализатор (уровня топлива)
free float — свободный запас времени
total float — общий запас времени
float-boat — паром; плот
float above — парить над
Примеры с переводом
She was floating on her back.
Она плыла на спине.
Yellow leaves floated down.
Жёлтые листья плыли вниз по течению.
The clouds float lazily over the valley.
Облака медленно плывут над долиной.
When you’re tired of swimming just float for a while.
Когда вы устанете плыть, просто полежите немного на поверхности воды без движения.
He tried to read, but the page floated before his eyes.
Он попробовал почитать, но страница плыла у него перед глазами.
He floated the logs down the river
Он сплавлял брёвна вниз по реке
I wasn’t sure if the raft would float.
Я не был уверен, поплывёт ли плот или утонет.
ещё 20 примеров свернуть
Примеры, ожидающие перевода
The boy floated his toy boat on the pond 
Leaves floated gently down from the trees.
The government floated the ruble for a few months
Для того чтобы добавить вариант перевода, кликните по иконке ☰, напротив примера.
Фразовые глаголы
float off — сняться с мели, снять с мели, спустить на воду
float out — смыть, водой, спустить, на воду, смывать водой
Возможные однокоренные слова
floatable — сплавной, плавучий
floatage — плавучесть, надводная часть судна, то, что плавает
floater — сезонный рабочий, ошибка, ценная бумага, ложный шаг
floating — плавающий, плавучий, блуждающий, плавание, флоутинг
floaty — плавучий, легкий
Формы слова
verb
I/you/we/they: float
he/she/it: floats
ing ф. (present participle): floating
2-я ф. (past tense): floated
3-я ф. (past participle): floated
noun
ед. ч.(singular): float
мн. ч.(plural): floats
Noun
We are building a float for the homecoming parade.
the crew put the cargo on the float before heading back down the river
Verb
She was floating on her back.
ice floating in the river
Will this material sink or float?
dust floating through the air
The incoming tide will eventually float the ship off the reef.
They floated the logs down the river.
She floated gracefully across the stage.
His voice floated to the back of the room.
See More
Recent Examples on the Web
The eligibility requirements include having a public float of at least $700 million in the previous 60 days, according to Alon Kapen, an attorney at Farrell Fritz in Uniondale, New York.
—
Eliza Ronalds-hannon, Fortune, 2 Apr. 2023
Speckling the algae are berry-like protrusions filled with gas (mainly oxygen) that help the whole seaweed belt float.
—Manasee Wagh, Popular Mechanics, 28 Mar. 2023
Many retirees in Granville were hard at work in a metal hangar, putting the finishing touches on their handmade floats for the town’s annual carnival.
—Catherine Porter, New York Times, 7 Mar. 2023
She is also shown smiling excitedly and waving her arms from side to side as the glitzy carnival floats pass in front of her.
—Marisa Sullivan, Peoplemag, 20 Feb. 2023
The rapper, who skyrocketed to national and international notice in the last few years, had a spot at the tail end of the Krewe de Secondline parade, on the very last float of the night.
—al, 17 Feb. 2023
Police said three people were in the vehicle, which was pulling a float with numerous people on it.
—Minyvonne Burke, NBC News, 19 Nov. 2022
As Links casts his float, the camera swoops overhead before diving below the water as the fish takes the bait.
—Lewis Gordon, Washington Post, 18 Nov. 2022
The 25-year-old Democrat zoomed toward his campaign float, a flatbed truck carrying a band composed of good friends from high school.
—Globe Staff, BostonGlobe.com, 2 Nov. 2022
Quite a few names have been floated out there over the years.
—Brian Davids, The Hollywood Reporter, 3 Apr. 2023
Among the many attractions here is a 695-foot lazy river with water canons and overhead bridges for floating under.
—Chelsee Lowe, Travel + Leisure, 2 Apr. 2023
One answer, which has been floated by a number of different environmental thinkers, is to focus on hyperlocal instead of national issues.
—Heather Souvaine Horn, The New Republic, 31 Mar. 2023
An uptick in shootings and a stalemate on gun control Shortly after Parkland, President Donald Trump repeatedly floated the idea of supporting a new assault weapons ban.
—Todd C. Frankel, Shawn Boburg, Josh Dawsey, Ashley Parker And Alex Horton, The Washington Post, Anchorage Daily News, 30 Mar. 2023
Although it’s been floating around in the consciousness of the chemistry community for decades, numerous beauty brands have only recently launched formulas that proudly call out its presence in their marketing materials.
—Marci Robin, Allure, 29 Mar. 2023
Some lawmakers have floated the idea of eliminating bureaucratic layers at the Pentagon or slashing aid to Ukraine.
—Sarah Westwood, Washington Examiner, 29 Mar. 2023
One of the common theories floating around says that kids these days are under an inordinate amount of pressure to compete with one another.
—Jay Caspian Kang, The New Yorker, 28 Mar. 2023
While other proposals to rebuild Penn Station have been floated, most are contingent on the demolition of Madison Square Garden, which sits on top of the labyrinthine train hub, has deep political connections and will strongly resist any move.
—Stefanos Chen, New York Times, 28 Mar. 2023
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word ‘float.’ Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
float
(flōt)
v. float·ed, float·ing, floats
v.intr.
1.
a. To remain suspended within or on the surface of a fluid without sinking.
b. To be suspended in or move through space as if supported by a liquid.
2. To move from place to place, especially at random.
3. To move easily or lightly: «Miss Golightly … floated round in their arms light as a scarf» (Truman Capote).
4. Economics To rise or fall freely in response to the market: allowed the dollar to float; a loan whose interest rate floats with the prime rate.
v.tr.
1. To cause to remain suspended without sinking or falling.
2.
a. To put into the water; launch: float a ship; float a navy.
b. To start or establish (a business enterprise, for example).
3. To flood (land), as for irrigation.
4. Economics To allow (the exchange value of a currency, for example) to rise or fall freely in response to the market: Inflation forced the government to float the currency.
5. To offer for consideration; suggest: floated my idea to the committee.
6. To release (a security) for sale.
7. To arrange for (a loan).
8. To make the surface of (plaster, for example) level or smooth.
9. Computers To convert (data) from fixed-point notation to floating-point notation.
n.
1. Something that floats, as:
a. A raft.
b. A buoy.
c. A life preserver.
d. A buoyant object, such as a piece of cork or a plastic ball, used to hold a net or part of a fishing line afloat.
e. A landing platform attached to a wharf and floating on the water.
f. A floating ball attached to a lever to regulate the water level in a tank.
2. Biology An air-filled sac or structure that aids in the flotation of an aquatic organism. Also called air bladder, air vesicle.
3. A decorated exhibit or scene mounted on a mobile platform and pulled or driven in a parade.
4. The number of shares of a security that are publicly owned and traded.
5.
a. A sum of money representing checks that are outstanding.
b. The time between the issuing or depositing of a check and the debiting of the issuer’s account.
c. The time during which a credit card purchase can be repaid without interest.
6.
a. A tool for smoothing the surface of wet plaster or concrete.
b. A file with sharp ridges used for cutting or smoothing wood.
7. A soft drink with ice cream floating in it.
8. Excess time allowed for a task in a project schedule.
float′a·ble adj.
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
float
(fləʊt)
vb
1. (General Physics) to rest or cause to rest on the surface of a fluid or in a fluid or space without sinking; be buoyant or cause to exhibit buoyancy: oil floats on water; to float a ship.
2. to move or cause to move buoyantly, lightly, or freely across a surface or through air, water, etc; drift: fog floated across the road.
3. to move about aimlessly, esp in the mind: thoughts floated before him.
4. to suspend or be suspended without falling; hang: lights floated above them.
5. (Commerce) (tr)
a. to launch or establish (a commercial enterprise, etc)
b. to offer for sale (stock or bond issues, etc) on the stock market
6. (Banking & Finance) (tr) finance to allow (a currency) to fluctuate against other currencies in accordance with market forces
7. (Physical Geography) (tr) to flood, inundate, or irrigate (land), either artificially or naturally
8. (Building) (tr) to spread, smooth, or level (a surface of plaster, rendering, etc)
n
9. something that floats
10. (Angling) angling an indicator attached to a baited line that sits on the water and moves when a fish bites
11. (Building) a small hand tool with a rectangular blade used for floating plaster, etc
12. (Nautical Terms) chiefly US any buoyant object, such as a platform or inflated tube, used offshore by swimmers or, when moored alongside a pier, as a dock by vessels
13. (Nautical Terms) Also called: paddle a blade of a paddle wheel
14. (Swimming, Water Sports & Surfing) Brit a buoyant garment or device to aid a person in staying afloat
15. (Aeronautics) a hollow watertight structure fitted to the underside of an aircraft to allow it to land on water
18. an exhibit carried in a parade, esp a religious parade
19. (Automotive Engineering) a motor vehicle used to carry a tableau or exhibit in a parade, esp a civic parade
20. (Automotive Engineering) a small delivery vehicle, esp one powered by batteries: a milk float.
21. (Automotive Engineering) Austral and NZ a vehicle for transporting horses
22. (Banking & Finance) banking chiefly US the total value of uncollected cheques and other commercial papers
23. (Accounting & Book-keeping) chiefly US and Canadian a sum to be applied to minor expenses; petty cash
24. (Commerce) a sum of money used by shopkeepers to provide change at the start of the day’s business, this sum being subtracted from the total at the end of the day when calculating the day’s takings
25. (Building) the hollow floating ball of a ballcock
26. (General Engineering) engineering a hollow cylindrical structure in a carburettor that actuates the fuel valve
27. (Cookery) chiefly US and Canadian a carbonated soft drink with a scoop of ice cream in it
28. (Textiles) (in textiles) a single thread brought to or above the surface of a woven fabric, esp to form a pattern
29. (Forestry) forestry a measure of timber equal to eighteen loads
[Old English flotian; related to Old Norse flota , Old Saxon flotōn; see fleet2]
ˈfloatable adj
ˌfloataˈbility n
Collins English Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged, 12th Edition 2014 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2014
float
(floʊt)
v.i.
1. to rest or remain on the surface of a liquid; be buoyant.
2. to move gently on the surface of a liquid; drift along: The canoe floated downstream.
3. to rest or move in a liquid, the air, etc.: a balloon floating on high.
4. to move lightly and gracefully: She floated down the stairs.
5. to move or hover before the eyes or in the mind.
6. to pass from one person to another.
7. to be free from attachment or involvement.
8. to move or drift about, esp. freely or aimlessly.
9. (of a currency) to be allowed to fluctuate freely in the foreign-exchange market instead of being exchanged at a fixed rate.
v.t.
10. to cause to float.
11. to cover with water or other liquid; flood; irrigate.
12. to launch (a company, scheme, etc.); set going.
13. to issue (stocks, bonds, etc.) on the stock market in order to raise money.
14. to let (a currency) fluctuate in the foreign-exchange market.
15. to present for consideration, as an idea.
16. to make smooth with a float, as the surface of plaster.
n.
17. something that floats, as a raft.
18. something for buoying up.
19. an inflated bag to sustain a person in water; life preserver.
20. (in a tank, cistern, etc.) a device, as a hollow ball, that through its buoyancy automatically regulates the level, supply, or outlet of a liquid.
21. a floating platform attached to a wharf, bank, etc., and used as a landing.
22. a hollow, boatlike structure under the wing or fuselage of a seaplane or flying boat that keeps it afloat in water.
23. a piece of cork or other material supporting a baited fishing line in the water.
24. an inflated organ that supports an animal in the water.
25. a vehicle bearing a display, usu. an elaborate tableau, in a parade or procession.
26. a drink with ice cream floating in it.
27. uncollected checks and commercial paper in process of transfer from bank to bank.
28. a sum of money added to a salary, pension, etc., as to cover expenses.
29. an act or instance of floating.
30. a flat tool for spreading and smoothing plaster or stucco.
[before 1000; Middle English floten, Old English flotian; c. Old Norse flota; akin to Old English flēotan to fleet2]
float′a•ble, adj.
float`a•bil′i•ty, n.
float′y, adj. float•i•er, float•i•est.
Random House Kernerman Webster’s College Dictionary, © 2010 K Dictionaries Ltd. Copyright 2005, 1997, 1991 by Random House, Inc. All rights reserved.
float
(flōt)
Verb
To remain suspended within or on the surface of a fluid without sinking.
Noun
An air-filled sac in certain aquatic organisms, such as kelp, that helps maintain buoyancy. Also called air bladder, air vesicle.
The American Heritage® Student Science Dictionary, Second Edition. Copyright © 2014 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
float
— The boards and paddle of a waterwheel or paddlewheel are the floats.
See also related terms for paddle.
Farlex Trivia Dictionary. © 2012 Farlex, Inc. All rights reserved.
Float
of dancers: a company of female dancers—Lipton, 1970.
Dictionary of Collective Nouns and Group Terms. Copyright 2008 The Gale Group, Inc. All rights reserved.
float
Past participle: floated
Gerund: floating
| Imperative |
|---|
| float |
| float |
| Present |
|---|
| I float |
| you float |
| he/she/it floats |
| we float |
| you float |
| they float |
| Preterite |
|---|
| I floated |
| you floated |
| he/she/it floated |
| we floated |
| you floated |
| they floated |
| Present Continuous |
|---|
| I am floating |
| you are floating |
| he/she/it is floating |
| we are floating |
| you are floating |
| they are floating |
| Present Perfect |
|---|
| I have floated |
| you have floated |
| he/she/it has floated |
| we have floated |
| you have floated |
| they have floated |
| Past Continuous |
|---|
| I was floating |
| you were floating |
| he/she/it was floating |
| we were floating |
| you were floating |
| they were floating |
| Past Perfect |
|---|
| I had floated |
| you had floated |
| he/she/it had floated |
| we had floated |
| you had floated |
| they had floated |
| Future |
|---|
| I will float |
| you will float |
| he/she/it will float |
| we will float |
| you will float |
| they will float |
| Future Perfect |
|---|
| I will have floated |
| you will have floated |
| he/she/it will have floated |
| we will have floated |
| you will have floated |
| they will have floated |
| Future Continuous |
|---|
| I will be floating |
| you will be floating |
| he/she/it will be floating |
| we will be floating |
| you will be floating |
| they will be floating |
| Present Perfect Continuous |
|---|
| I have been floating |
| you have been floating |
| he/she/it has been floating |
| we have been floating |
| you have been floating |
| they have been floating |
| Future Perfect Continuous |
|---|
| I will have been floating |
| you will have been floating |
| he/she/it will have been floating |
| we will have been floating |
| you will have been floating |
| they will have been floating |
| Past Perfect Continuous |
|---|
| I had been floating |
| you had been floating |
| he/she/it had been floating |
| we had been floating |
| you had been floating |
| they had been floating |
| Conditional |
|---|
| I would float |
| you would float |
| he/she/it would float |
| we would float |
| you would float |
| they would float |
| Past Conditional |
|---|
| I would have floated |
| you would have floated |
| he/she/it would have floated |
| we would have floated |
| you would have floated |
| they would have floated |
Collins English Verb Tables © HarperCollins Publishers 2011
ThesaurusAntonymsRelated WordsSynonymsLegend:
| Noun | 1. | float — the time interval between the deposit of a check in a bank and its payment
interval, time interval — a definite length of time marked off by two instants |
| 2. | float — the number of shares outstanding and available for trading by the public
stock — the capital raised by a corporation through the issue of shares entitling holders to an ownership interest (equity); «he owns a controlling share of the company’s stock» |
|
| 3. |  float — a drink with ice cream floating in it
ice-cream float, ice-cream soda drink — a single serving of a beverage; «I asked for a hot drink»; «likes a drink before dinner» root beer float — an ice-cream soda made with ice cream floating in root beer |
|
| 4. | float — an elaborate display mounted on a platform carried by a truck (or pulled by a truck) in a procession or parade
display, presentation — a visual representation of something |
|
| 5. | float — a hand tool with a flat face used for smoothing and finishing the surface of plaster or cement or stucco
plasterer’s float hand tool — a tool used with workers’ hands |
|
| 6. | float — something that floats on the surface of water
artefact, artifact — a man-made object taken as a whole bobber, bobfloat, cork, bob — a small float usually made of cork; attached to a fishing line chip — a triangular wooden float attached to the end of a log line flotation device, life preserver, preserver — rescue equipment consisting of a buoyant belt or jacket to keep a person from drowning pontoon — a float supporting a seaplane raft — a flat float (usually made of logs or planks) that can be used for transport or as a platform for swimmers |
|
| 7. |  float — an air-filled sac near the spinal column in many fishes that helps maintain buoyancy
air bladder, swim bladder sac — a structure resembling a bag in an animal |
|
| Verb | 1. |  float — be in motion due to some air or water current; «The leaves were blowing in the wind»; «the boat drifted on the lake»; «The sailboat was adrift on the open sea»; «the shipwrecked boat drifted away from the shore»
be adrift, drift, blow go, locomote, move, travel — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically; «How fast does your new car go?»; «We travelled from Rome to Naples by bus»; «The policemen went from door to door looking for the suspect»; «The soldiers moved towards the city in an attempt to take it before night fell»; «news travelled fast» float — move lightly, as if suspended; «The dancer floated across the stage» waft — be driven or carried along, as by the air; «Sounds wafted into the room» tide — be carried with the tide drift — cause to be carried by a current; «drift the boats downstream» stream — to extend, wave or float outward, as if in the wind; «their manes streamed like stiff black pennants in the wind» |
| 2. | float — be afloat either on or below a liquid surface and not sink to the bottom
swim go, locomote, move, travel — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically; «How fast does your new car go?»; «We travelled from Rome to Naples by bus»; «The policemen went from door to door looking for the suspect»; «The soldiers moved towards the city in an attempt to take it before night fell»; «news travelled fast» float — move lightly, as if suspended; «The dancer floated across the stage» float — set afloat; «He floated the logs down the river»; «The boy floated his toy boat on the pond» buoy — float on the surface of water go under, go down, sink, settle — go under, «The raft sank and its occupants drowned» |
|
| 3. | float — set afloat; «He floated the logs down the river»; «The boy floated his toy boat on the pond»
float — put into the water; «float a ship» tide — cause to float with the tide drift — cause to be carried by a current; «drift the boats downstream» refloat — set afloat again; «refloat a grounded boat» float, swim — be afloat either on or below a liquid surface and not sink to the bottom transport — move something or somebody around; usually over long distances |
|
| 4. | float — circulate or discuss tentatively; test the waters with; «The Republicans are floating the idea of a tax reform»
test, try out, try, essay, examine, prove — put to the test, as for its quality, or give experimental use to; «This approach has been tried with good results»; «Test this recipe» |
|
| 5. | float — move lightly, as if suspended; «The dancer floated across the stage»
go, locomote, move, travel — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically; «How fast does your new car go?»; «We travelled from Rome to Naples by bus»; «The policemen went from door to door looking for the suspect»; «The soldiers moved towards the city in an attempt to take it before night fell»; «news travelled fast» be adrift, drift, float, blow — be in motion due to some air or water current; «The leaves were blowing in the wind»; «the boat drifted on the lake»; «The sailboat was adrift on the open sea»; «the shipwrecked boat drifted away from the shore» float, swim — be afloat either on or below a liquid surface and not sink to the bottom ride — be sustained or supported or borne; «His glasses rode high on his nose»; «The child rode on his mother’s hips»; «She rode a wave of popularity»; «The brothers rode to an easy victory on their father’s political name» |
|
| 6. | float — put into the water; «float a ship»
launch — propel with force; «launch the space shuttle»; «Launch a ship» float — set afloat; «He floated the logs down the river»; «The boy floated his toy boat on the pond» |
|
| 7. | float — make the surface of level or smooth; «float the plaster»
masonry — the craft of a mason smooth, smoothen — make smooth or smoother, as if by rubbing; «smooth the surface of the wood» |
|
| 8. | float — allow (currencies) to fluctuate; «The government floated the ruble for a few months»
value — fix or determine the value of; assign a value to; «value the jewelry and art work in the estate» |
|
| 9. | float — convert from a fixed point notation to a floating point notation; «float data»
convert, change over — change from one system to another or to a new plan or policy; «We converted from 220 to 110 Volt» |
Based on WordNet 3.0, Farlex clipart collection. © 2003-2012 Princeton University, Farlex Inc.
float
verb
1. glide, sail, drift, move gently, bob, coast, slide, be carried, slip along barges floating quietly by the grassy river banks
2. be buoyant, stay afloat, be or lie on the surface, rest on water, hang, hover, poise, displace water Empty things float.
be buoyant settle, sink, go down, founder, dip, drown, submerge
3. waft, coast, drift Sublime music floats on a scented summer breeze.
5. launch, offer, sell, set up, promote, get going, push off He floated his firm on the Stock Market.
launch cancel, abolish, dissolve, terminate, annul
Collins Thesaurus of the English Language – Complete and Unabridged 2nd Edition. 2002 © HarperCollins Publishers 1995, 2002
float
verb
1. To move along with or be carried away by the action of water:
2. To pass quickly and lightly through the air:
The American Heritage® Roget’s Thesaurus. Copyright © 2013, 2014 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
Translations
ploutplovací vestasplávekvalníkvznášet se
flydesvævesvømmebæltevogndrive
lipuakelluakellukekoholeijua
lebdjetiplovakplutati
fljótaflotholtvagn
浮かぶ浮き浮く
떠가다뜨다부낭
laivas restoranasnepastovūs gyventojaiplatformaplūduriuotiplukdyti
elektrokārspeldētpludinātpludiņšslīdēt
plavákvalník
lebdetiplavati
flytasimdynasväva
ลอยลอยบนผิวน้ำหรือในอากาศสิ่งที่ลอยได้เช่นแพ
nổiphaotrôi lềnh bềnh
float
[fləʊt]
A. N [of raft, seaplane] → flotador m; (for fishing line) → corcho m; (= swimming aid) → flotador m; (in procession) → carroza f; (= sum of money) → reserva f; (in shop) → fondo m de caja dinero en caja antes de empezar las ventas del día (para cambios )
Collins Spanish Dictionary — Complete and Unabridged 8th Edition 2005 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1971, 1988 © HarperCollins Publishers 1992, 1993, 1996, 1997, 2000, 2003, 2005
float
[ˈfləʊt]
n
(in procession) → char m
Collins English/French Electronic Resource. © HarperCollins Publishers 2005
float
n
(on fishing line, in cistern, carburettor, on aeroplane) → Schwimmer m; (= anchored raft) → (verankertes) Floß, Schwimmplattform f; (as swimming aid) → Schwimmkork m; (of fish) → Schwimmblase f; (on trawl net) → Korken m
(= vehicle, in procession) → Festwagen m; (for deliveries) → kleiner Elektrolieferwagen
(= ready cash: in till) → Wechselgeld nt no indef art (zu Geschäftsbeginn); (= loan to start business) → Startkapital nt; (= advance on expenses) → Vorschuss m
Collins German Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged 7th Edition 2005. © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1980 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1997, 1999, 2004, 2005, 2007
Collins Italian Dictionary 1st Edition © HarperCollins Publishers 1995
float
(fləut) verb
to (make something) stay on the surface of a liquid. A piece of wood was floating in the stream.
noun
1. something that floats on a fishing-line. If the float moves, there is probably a fish on the hook.
2. a vehicle for transporting certain things. a milk-float; a cattle-float.
floating population
a section of the population not permanently resident in a place.
floating restaurant
a restaurant on a boat or other floating structure.
Kernerman English Multilingual Dictionary © 2006-2013 K Dictionaries Ltd.
float
→ عَوَّامَة, يَسْبَحُ في الهَوَاء, يَطْفُو plout, plovací vesta, vznášet se flyde, svæve, svømmebælte schweben, Schwimmkissen, treiben επιπλέω, πλέω, πλωτήρας flotador, flotar kellua, kelluke, lipua flotter, flotteur lebdjeti, plovak, plutati fluttuare, galleggiante, galleggiare 浮かぶ, 浮き, 浮く 떠가다, 뜨다, 부낭 drijven, drijvend voorwerp flottør, flyte, sveve pływak, popłynąć, wznosić się bóia, flutuar держаться на поверхности, плавучая масса, подниматься flyta, simdyna, sväva ลอย, ลอยบนผิวน้ำหรือในอากาศ, สิ่งที่ลอยได้เช่นแพ sal, süzülmek, yüzdürmek nổi, phao, trôi lềnh bềnh 漂流物, 飘浮
Multilingual Translator © HarperCollins Publishers 2009
float
n. flotador;
v. flotar.
English-Spanish Medical Dictionary © Farlex 2012
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verb (used without object)
to rest or remain on the surface of a liquid; be buoyant: The hollow ball floated.
to move gently on the surface of a liquid; drift along:The canoe floated downstream.
to rest or move in a liquid, the air, etc.: a balloon floating on high.
to move lightly and gracefully: She floated down the stairs.
to move or hover before the eyes or in the mind: Romantic visions floated before his eyes.
to pass from one person to another: A nasty rumor about his firm is floating around town.
to be free from attachment or involvement.
to move or drift about: to float from place to place.
to vacillate (often followed by between).
to be launched, as a company, scheme, etc.
(of a currency) to be allowed to fluctuate freely in the foreign-exchange market instead of being exchanged at a fixed rate.
(of an interest rate) to change periodically according to money-market conditions.
Commerce. to be in circulation, as an acceptance; be awaiting maturity.
verb (used with object)
to cause to float.
to cover with water or other liquid; flood; irrigate.
to launch (a company, scheme, etc.); set going.
to issue on the stock market in order to raise money, as stocks or bonds.
to let (a currency or interest rate) fluctuate in the foreign-exchange or money market.
to make smooth with a float, as the surface of plaster.
Theater. to lay down (a flat), usually by bracing the bottom edge of the frame with the foot and allowing the rest to fall slowly to the floor.
noun
something that floats, as a raft.
something for buoying up.
an inflated bag to sustain a person in water; life preserver.
(in certain types of tanks, cisterns, etc.) a device, as a hollow ball, that through its buoyancy automatically regulates the level, supply, or outlet of a liquid.
Nautical. a floating platform attached to a wharf, bank, or the like, and used as a landing.
Aeronautics. a hollow, boatlike structure under the wing or fuselage of a seaplane or flying boat, keeping it afloat in water.
Angling. a piece of cork or other material for supporting a baited line in the water and indicating by its movements when a fish bites.
Zoology. an inflated organ that supports an animal in the water.
a vehicle bearing a display, usually an elaborate tableau, in a parade or procession: Each class prepared a float for the football pageant.
a glass of fruit juice or soft drink with one or more scoops of ice cream floating in it: a root-beer float.
(especially in the northeastern United States) a milkshake with one or more scoops of ice cream floating in it.
Banking. uncollected checks and commercial paper in process of transfer from bank to bank.
the total amount of any cost-of-living or other variable adjustments added to an employee’s pay or a retiree’s benefits: a float of $6 per month on top of Social Security benefits.
an act or instance of floating, as a currency on the foreign-exchange market.
Building Trades.
- a flat tool for spreading and smoothing plaster or stucco.
- a tool for polishing marble.
a single-cut file of moderate smoothness.
a loose-fitting, sometimes very full dress without a waistline.
(in weaving and knitting) a length of yarn that extends over several rows or stitches without being interworked.
British. a sum of money used by a storekeeper to provide change for the till at the start of a day’s business.
British. a small vehicle, usually battery powered, used to make deliveries, as of milk.
a low-bodied dray for transporting heavy goods.
Geology, Mining.
- loose fragments of rock, ore, etc., that have been moved from one place to another by the action of wind, water, etc.
- ore that has been washed downhill from an orebody and is found lying on the surface of the ground.
- any mineral in suspension in water.
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Origin of float
First recorded before 1000; Middle English floten, Old English flotian; cognate with Old Norse flota, Middle Dutch vloten; akin to Old English flēotan “to move swiftly” (see fleet2)
OTHER WORDS FROM float
outfloat, verb (used with object)re·float, verb
Words nearby float
fliting, flitter, flittermouse, flivver, Flo, float, floatable, floatage, floatation, floatboard, float bowl
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Words related to float
drift, glide, hang, hover, ride, sail, slide, swim, waft, wash, bob, poise, skim
How to use float in a sentence
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While the rest of us quarantine at home, influencers will lounge on pool floats, host meet-and-greets with fans, party together.
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Near a good halfway point for float trips on the Current River, two sides of this dreamy tiny house in the Ozarks are bordered by Shannondale State Forest.
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Achim Randelhoff, an oceanographer at Université Laval in Quebec City, and colleagues deployed autonomous submersible floats in Baffin Bay that can measure photosynthetic activity and algae concentrations underwater.
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Here’s a list of some of my favorite water gear that helps me enjoy the remaining hot days, whether that’s taking a canyoneering trip or doing a lazy float with the kids.
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If you don’t feel the need for speed, the Super Mable makes a great pool or off-shore float.
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In the meantime, Epstein has tried to use his charitable projects to float him back to the top.
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You can go as deep as you like, or float about on the surface.
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He allows the subject to float over to Hitchcock with a calm directness that I admire.
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They haven’t been dead long enough to float, but that will come in time.
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But miraculously they must float in the heavens so far away from us, their beautiful light will continue to shine on us forever.
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One frequently wishes to ascertain the specific gravity of quantities of fluid too small to float an urinometer.
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The cloud coals grow fainter—now purple; and now in ashes they float away into the chill blue.
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A huge float comes along, depicting the stone age and the primitive man, every detail carefully studied from the museums.
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Slowly did they float through the darkness of the night, appearing like the work of fairy hands.
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Seeds of plants incased in their often dense envelopes may, because they float, be independently carried great distances.
British Dictionary definitions for float
verb
to rest or cause to rest on the surface of a fluid or in a fluid or space without sinking; be buoyant or cause to exhibit buoyancyoil floats on water; to float a ship
to move or cause to move buoyantly, lightly, or freely across a surface or through air, water, etc; driftfog floated across the road
to move about aimlessly, esp in the mindthoughts floated before him
to suspend or be suspended without falling; hanglights floated above them
(tr)
- to launch or establish (a commercial enterprise, etc)
- to offer for sale (stock or bond issues, etc) on the stock market
(tr) finance to allow (a currency) to fluctuate against other currencies in accordance with market forces
(tr) to flood, inundate, or irrigate (land), either artificially or naturally
(tr) to spread, smooth, or level (a surface of plaster, rendering, etc)
noun
something that floats
angling an indicator attached to a baited line that sits on the water and moves when a fish bites
a small hand tool with a rectangular blade used for floating plaster, etc
mainly US any buoyant object, such as a platform or inflated tube, used offshore by swimmers or, when moored alongside a pier, as a dock by vessels
Also called: paddle a blade of a paddle wheel
British a buoyant garment or device to aid a person in staying afloat
a hollow watertight structure fitted to the underside of an aircraft to allow it to land on water
an exhibit carried in a parade, esp a religious parade
a motor vehicle used to carry a tableau or exhibit in a parade, esp a civic parade
a small delivery vehicle, esp one powered by batteriesa milk float
Australian and NZ a vehicle for transporting horses
banking, mainly US the total value of uncollected cheques and other commercial papers
mainly US and Canadian a sum to be applied to minor expenses; petty cash
a sum of money used by shopkeepers to provide change at the start of the day’s business, this sum being subtracted from the total at the end of the day when calculating the day’s takings
the hollow floating ball of a ballcock
engineering a hollow cylindrical structure in a carburettor that actuates the fuel valve
mainly US and Canadian a carbonated soft drink with a scoop of ice cream in it
(in textiles) a single thread brought to or above the surface of a woven fabric, esp to form a pattern
forestry a measure of timber equal to eighteen loads
Derived forms of float
floatable, adjectivefloatability, noun
Word Origin for float
Old English flotian; related to Old Norse flota , Old Saxon flotōn; see fleet ²
Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Scientific definitions for float
An air-filled sac in certain aquatic organisms, such as kelp, that helps maintain buoyancy. Also called air bladder air vesicle
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary
Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
Other forms: floating; floated; floats
Float is what you do when you’re lying on the water. Hopefully you know how to swim, so you can float suspended on the surface of the water, rather than sinking straight to the bottom.
We typically think of the verb float as something you do on the surface of an ocean or pool, but it’s possible to float in mid-air too. You just need to be attached to a parachute so you don’t come crashing down to the ground. You can also «float on air» in a more figurative sense. For example, if the person you’re in love with suddenly gives you flowers, you could float around for hours feeling like your feet aren’t touching the ground.
Definitions of float
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verb
be afloat either on or below a liquid surface and not sink to the bottom
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synonyms:
swim
see moresee less-
Antonyms:
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go down, go under, settle, sink
go under, «The raft sank and its occupants drowned»
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sink
cause to sink
- show more antonyms…
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types:
-
buoy
float on the surface of water
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type of:
-
go, locomote, move, travel
change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
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go down, go under, settle, sink
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verb
be in motion due to some air or water current
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synonyms:
be adrift, blow, drift
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drift
cause to be carried by a current
see moresee less-
types:
-
waft
be driven or carried along, as by the air
-
tide
be carried with the tide
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stream
to extend, wave or float outward, as if in the wind
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type of:
-
go, locomote, move, travel
change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
-
drift
-
verb
move lightly, as if suspended
“The dancer
floated across the stage”-
Synonyms:
-
be adrift, blow, drift
be in motion due to some air or water current
-
swim
be afloat either on or below a liquid surface and not sink to the bottom
-
be adrift, blow, drift
-
“He
floated the logs down the river”“The boy
floated his toy boat on the pond”-
Synonyms:
-
swim
be afloat either on or below a liquid surface and not sink to the bottom
-
swim
-
noun
something that floats on the surface of water
see moresee less-
types:
- show 10 types…
- hide 10 types…
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bob, bobber, bobfloat, cork
a small float usually made of cork; attached to a fishing line
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chip
a triangular wooden float attached to the end of a log line
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flotation device, life preserver, preserver
rescue equipment consisting of a buoyant belt or jacket to keep a person from drowning
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pontoon
a float supporting a seaplane
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raft
a flat float (usually made of logs or planks) that can be used for transport or as a platform for swimmers
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Kon Tiki, balsa raft
a light raft made of balsa
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life belt, life buoy, life ring, lifesaver
a life preserver in the form of a ring of buoyant material
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cork jacket, life jacket, life vest
life preserver consisting of a sleeveless jacket of buoyant or inflatable design
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Carling float, life raft
a raft to use if a ship must be abandoned in an emergency
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water wings
a life preserver consisting of a connected pair of inflatable bags that fit under a person’s arms and provide buoyancy; used by children learning to swim
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type of:
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artefact, artifact
a man-made object taken as a whole
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noun
an air-filled sac near the spinal column in many fishes that helps maintain buoyancy
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noun
a hand tool with a flat face used for smoothing and finishing the surface of plaster or cement or stucco
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verb
make the surface of level or smooth
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verb
allow (currencies) to fluctuate
“The government
floated the ruble for a few months” -
verb
circulate or discuss tentatively; test the waters with
“The Republicans are
floating the idea of a tax reform” -
verb
convert from a fixed point notation to a floating point notation
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noun
an elaborate display mounted on a platform carried by a truck (or pulled by a truck) in a procession or parade
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noun
the number of shares outstanding and available for trading by the public
see moresee less-
type of:
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stock
the capital raised by a corporation through the issue of shares entitling holders to an ownership interest (equity)
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stock
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noun
a drink with ice cream floating in it
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noun
the time interval between the deposit of a check in a bank and its payment
DISCLAIMER: These example sentences appear in various news sources and books to reflect the usage of the word ‘float’.
Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Vocabulary.com or its editors.
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