Definition

1. Noun:

   • A buoyant object: Something that rests on the surface of a liquid without sinking.
   • A decorated vehicle: An elaborate, often themed, display mounted on a platform and used in a parade.
   • A tool for smoothing: A hand tool with a flat blade used for applying and smoothing materials like plaster or cement.
   • A financial term: The number of a company's shares that are publicly owned and available for trading.
   • A drink: A beverage, often carbonated, with a scoop of ice cream floating on top.

2. Verb:

   • To rest on liquid: To be or remain on the surface of a liquid without sinking.
   • To move lightly: To move or drift gently and smoothly through air or water.
   • To launch financially: To offer a company's shares for sale on the stock market for the first time.
   • To propose tentatively: To suggest an idea or plan informally to gauge reaction.
   • To make level: To make a surface smooth and level, especially with a float tool.

Usage Examples

• Noun:

  • The child held onto a float in the swimming pool.
  • The carnival float was decorated with flowers.
  • The plasterer used a float to smooth the wall.
  • The company has a large float of shares.
  • I'll have a root beer float.

• Verb:

  • Wood will float on water.
  • Clouds float across the sky.
  • The company plans to float on the stock exchange next year.
  • They decided to float the idea of a four-day workweek.
  • You need to float the concrete to create a smooth finish.

Advanced Usage

• "To float a currency": To allow a currency's value to change freely according to the foreign exchange market.

  • The government decided to float the currency.

• "In the float": In a state of suspension or buoyancy.

  • The astronaut experienced a feeling of being in the float.

Variants and Related Words

• Floater (n): 1. A person or thing that floats. 2. A voter not committed to any party. 3. A small dark spot that seems to float in one's field of vision.
• Floating (adj): Not fixed in one place; buoyant.
  • The city has a large floating population.

Synonyms

• Verb: Drift, glide, hover, waft, sail.
• Noun: Buoy, raft, pontoon.

Related Phrasal Verbs

• Float around: (Of an idea or rumor) to be discussed informally.

  • That rumor has been floating around the office for weeks.

• Float through: To proceed in a very relaxed or effortless manner.

  • She just floats through life without a care.

Related Idioms

• Float someone's boat: To appeal to or excite someone. (Informal)

  • If classical music floats your boat, you'll love this concert.

• Float on air: To feel extremely happy and light.

  • After he proposed, she was floating on air.

Noun

1. an air-filled sac near the spinal column in many fishes that helps maintain buoyancy
2. something that floats on the surface of water
3. a hand tool with a flat face used for smoothing and finishing the surface of plaster or cement or stucco
4. an elaborate display mounted on a platform carried by a truck (or pulled by a truck) in a procession or parade
5. a drink with ice cream floating in it
6. the number of shares outstanding and available for trading by the public
7. the time interval between the deposit of a check in a bank and its payment

Verb

1. convert from a fixed point notation to a floating point notation
   • float data
2. allow (currencies) to fluctuate
   • The government floated the ruble for a few months
3. make the surface of level or smooth
   • float the plaster
4. put into the water
   • float a ship
5. move lightly, as if suspended
   • The dancer floated across the stage
6. circulate or discuss tentatively; test the waters with
   • The Republicans are floating the idea of a tax reform
7. set afloat
   • He floated the logs down the river
   • The boy floated his toy boat on the pond
8. be afloat either on or below a liquid surface and not sink to the bottom
9. 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