Float — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

noun verb /ˈflōt/

Meaning & Definition of Float

Float (noun)

  1. an act or instance of floating
  2. something that floats in or on the surface of a fluid
  3. a device (such as a cork) buoying up the baited end of a fishing line

Float (verb)

  1. to rest on the surface of or be suspended in a fluid
  2. to drift or move on or through or as if on or through a fluid
  3. wander

Float (verb) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. to rest or move along the surface of a liquid or in the air

    "a canoe floating down the river"

    "particles of dust floating in the air"

    similar: drift, glide, hang, hover, poise, ride, sail, swim, waft
    related: bob, dangle, suspend, buoy, balloon, raft
    opposite: settle, sink
    near: dive, lunge, plunge, dip, immerse, submerge, submerse

  2. to move about from place to place aimlessly

    "lost touch with a childhood friend who spent much of his adult life floating from place to place"

    similar: bat, cruise, drift, gad (about), gallivant, kick around, knock (about), maunder, meander, mooch, ramble, range, roam, rove, traipse, wander
    related: amble, saunter, stroll, dawdle, mope, hobo, tramp, vagabond, mill (about or around), straggle, stray

Float (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. a structure used by boats and ships for taking on or landing cargo and passengers

    "the crew put the cargo on the float before heading back down the river"

    similar: dock, jetty, landing, levee, pier, quai, quay, wharf
    related: berth, mooring, slip, embarcadero (West), dockyard, marina, quayage, shipyard, wharfage

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Float

The most common words with a similar meaning to Float:

drift, glide, hang, hover, poise, ride, sail, swim, waft, bat, cruise, gad (about), gallivant, kick around, knock (about), maunder, meander, mooch, ramble, range, roam, rove, traipse, wander, dock, jetty, landing, levee, pier, quai, quay, wharf

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Float

Words with the opposite meaning of Float:

settle, sink

Related Words for Float

bob, dangle, suspend, buoy, balloon, raft, amble, saunter, stroll, dawdle, mope, hobo, tramp, vagabond, mill (about or around), straggle, stray, berth, mooring, slip, embarcadero, dockyard, marina, quayage, shipyard, wharfage

Near Antonyms of Float

dive, lunge, plunge, dip, immerse, submerge, submerse

Word Forms of Float

Inflections: floated, floating, floats

Origin & Etymology of Float

Middle English flote boat, float, from Old English flota ship; akin to Old High German flōz raft, stream, Old English flēotan to float fleet

First known use: before 12th century

Vocabulary Lists & Topics for Float

Words & Phrases Containing Float

float glass, dead man's float, milk float

Frequently Asked Questions about Float

What does "Float" mean?

"Float" means an act or instance of floating. As an a noun and a verb, it is defined as: an act or instance of floating. It has 3 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Float"?

Other words for "Float" include drift, glide, hang, hover, poise, ride, sail and swim. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Float" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Float"?

There are 58 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Float". Common alternatives include drift, glide, hang, hover, poise, ride, sail, swim, waft and bat.

What is the opposite of "Float"?

Antonyms of "Float" include settle and sink. Near antonyms include dive, lunge, plunge and dip.

How do you use "Float" in a sentence?

Examples of "Float" in a sentence: "a canoe floating down the river"; "particles of dust floating in the air"; "lost touch with a childhood friend who spent much of his adult life floating from place to place".

Is "Float" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Float" can be used as a noun and a verb, depending on the context.

Is "Float" useful for IELTS, TOEFL, and other English exams?

As a B2-level word, "Float" is typical of Cambridge B2 First (FCE), IELTS band 5.5–6.5, TOEFL iBT 72–94, PTE Academic 59–75, TOEIC Listening & Reading 785+.

How do you pronounce "Float"?

"Float" is pronounced /ˈflōt/.