# float

/ˈfɫoʊt/ (US) · /flˈəʊt/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/float
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. to stay on top of liquid

verb · CEFR A2

to stay on the surface of a liquid like water without sinking.

For teachers: to be supported by a fluid of greater density than the object, remaining on the surface or suspended within it.

- The children watched the colorful plastic ducks float across the swimming pool.
- Even heavy steel ships can float because they are designed to displace a volume of water equal to their own weight.

### 2. to move gently through air

verb · CEFR B1

to move slowly and lightly through the air or across a space.

For teachers: to drift or glide gently through the air or move in a fluid, effortless manner.

- A single white feather floated down from the sky and landed on the grass.
- The scent of jasmine floated through the open window, filling the study with a delicate fragrance.

### 3. to suggest an idea

verb · CEFR B2

to suggest a new idea or plan to see if people like it.

For teachers: to propose an idea, scheme, or candidate for consideration, often to gauge public or group reaction.

- The manager floated the idea of a four-day work week during the meeting.
- The government floated a proposal for a new tax incentive to determine if the private sector would support the investment.

### 4. parade vehicle

noun · CEFR B1

a large, decorated vehicle used in a parade.

For teachers: an elaborately decorated platform or vehicle designed for display in a parade or pageant.

- The most popular float in the parade was covered in thousands of fresh roses.
- Volunteers spent months constructing the carnival float, ensuring every mechanical element functioned perfectly for the televised procession.

### 5. money for change

noun · CEFR B2 · British English

a small amount of cash kept in a shop's till to give customers change.

For teachers: a fixed sum of money placed in a cash register at the start of a business period to facilitate making change.

- The shop assistant checked the float before opening the doors to customers.
- The supervisor noticed a discrepancy in the daily float, prompting a full audit of the morning's transactions.

### 6. ice cream drink

noun · CEFR B1

a drink made of soda with a scoop of ice cream on top.

For teachers: a beverage consisting of a soft drink, such as root beer or cola, with a scoop of ice cream suspended in it.

- On a hot day, nothing is better than a cold root beer float.
- The diner's signature dessert was a classic coke float served in a tall glass with a long spoon.

### 7. buoyant object

noun · CEFR B2

an object that stays on top of water, like a marker for fishing or a safety device.

For teachers: a buoyant device used to support something in a liquid or to mark a specific location on the surface.

- The fisherman watched his float closely, waiting for a fish to bite.
- The safety inspector checked the emergency floats on the aircraft to ensure they would deploy correctly in the event of a water landing.

### 8. decimal number

noun · CEFR C1 · Technical

a type of number in computer programming that can have a decimal point.

For teachers: a data type representing a floating-point number, typically used for real numbers with fractional parts.

- You should use a float instead of an integer if you need to store prices.
- The algorithm failed because the programmer used an integer where a float was required to maintain the precision of the calculations.

## Examples

- Every company builds a float for the parade.
- The school's art club spent weeks designing their prize-winning float for the town's holiday parade.
- The centerpiece of the carnival was an elaborate, illuminated float depicting a mythical sea creature, its articulated parts moving as if it were swimming through the crowded streets.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.