Word
afloat
US/əˈfɫoʊt/
UK/ɐflˈəʊt/
Definition
adj. floating on the surface of water. You use it to describe a boat, a person, or an object that is not sinking.
adj. resting on the surface of a liquid rather than submerged. Often used in the idiom 'keep afloat' to mean maintaining financial stability or survival.
Examples
“The small boat stayed afloat in the rough sea.”
“She threw a life ring to help the swimmer stay afloat until the rescue team arrived.”
“Despite the heavy storm and rising winds, the sturdy vessel remained afloat, drifting slowly toward the distant shore.”
Examples
simple
“The small boat stayed afloat in the rough sea.”
contextual
“She threw a life ring to help the swimmer stay afloat until the rescue team arrived.”
complex
“Despite the heavy storm and rising winds, the sturdy vessel remained afloat, drifting slowly toward the distant shore.”
Etymology
From a- + float.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
VERB
NOUN
ADJECTIVE
Domain
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B1 PreliminaryIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.4.0–5.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 3.0–3.544–71TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.550–784
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- B1 · Intermediate
- Updated
- アルファベット
- 読み方の一覧 →
QR code
englishreference.com/q/afloat