float
v. · n.-
1 to stay on top of liquid (v.) A2 Elementaryto stay on the surface of a liquid like water without sinking.
to be supported by a fluid of greater density than the object, remaining on the surface or suspended within it.
ExampleThe children watched the colorful plastic ducks float across the swimming pool.
ExampleEven heavy steel ships can float because they are designed to displace a volume of water equal to their own weight.
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2 to move gently through air (v.) B1 Intermediateto move slowly and lightly through the air or across a space.
to drift or glide gently through the air or move in a fluid, effortless manner.
ExampleA single white feather floated down from the sky and landed on the grass.
ExampleThe scent of jasmine floated through the open window, filling the study with a delicate fragrance.
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3 to suggest an idea (v.) B2 Upper Intermediateto suggest a new idea or plan to see if people like it.
to propose an idea, scheme, or candidate for consideration, often to gauge public or group reaction.
ExampleThe manager floated the idea of a four-day work week during the meeting.
ExampleThe government floated a proposal for a new tax incentive to determine if the private sector would support the investment.
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4 parade vehicle (n.) B1 Intermediatea large, decorated vehicle used in a parade.
an elaborately decorated platform or vehicle designed for display in a parade or pageant.
ExampleThe most popular float in the parade was covered in thousands of fresh roses.
ExampleVolunteers spent months constructing the carnival float, ensuring every mechanical element functioned perfectly for the televised procession.
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5 money for change (n.) B2 Upper Intermediate British Englisha small amount of cash kept in a shop's till to give customers change.
a fixed sum of money placed in a cash register at the start of a business period to facilitate making change.
ExampleThe shop assistant checked the float before opening the doors to customers.
ExampleThe supervisor noticed a discrepancy in the daily float, prompting a full audit of the morning's transactions.
- petty cash
- reserve
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6 ice cream drink (n.) B1 Intermediate Cookinga drink made of soda with a scoop of ice cream on top.
a beverage consisting of a soft drink, such as root beer or cola, with a scoop of ice cream suspended in it.
ExampleOn a hot day, nothing is better than a cold root beer float.
ExampleThe diner's signature dessert was a classic coke float served in a tall glass with a long spoon.
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7 buoyant object (n.) B2 Upper Intermediatean object that stays on top of water, like a marker for fishing or a safety device.
a buoyant device used to support something in a liquid or to mark a specific location on the surface.
ExampleThe fisherman watched his float closely, waiting for a fish to bite.
ExampleThe safety inspector checked the emergency floats on the aircraft to ensure they would deploy correctly in the event of a water landing.
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8 decimal number (n.) C1 Advanced Technical Computinga type of number in computer programming that can have a decimal point.
a data type representing a floating-point number, typically used for real numbers with fractional parts.
ExampleYou should use a float instead of an integer if you need to store prices.
ExampleThe algorithm failed because the programmer used an integer where a float was required to maintain the precision of the calculations.
- decimal
- floating point
From Middle English floten, from Old English flotian (“to float”), from Proto-West Germanic flotōn, from Proto-Germanic flutōną (“to float”), from Proto-Indo-European plewd-, plew- (“to float, swim, fly”). Compare flow, fleet.
From Middle English flote, from Old English flota (“sailor, boat”), from Proto-West Germanic flotō, from Proto-Germanic flutô, from Proto-Indo-European *plewd-.