Word
floater
US/ˈfɫoʊtɝ/
UK/flˈəʊtɐ/
Countable noun
Definition
n. a tiny dark spot that seems to drift across what you see. You notice it most when you look at a bright plain surface like the sky.
n. a small dark speck perceived as drifting across the visual field, caused by shadows cast by debris within the vitreous humour.
Examples
“I see a small floater when I look at the sky.”
“The eye doctor tells her the floater is harmless and will become less noticeable over time.”
“After the eye exam, he learns the persistent floater results from age-related changes in the vitreous gel rather than retinal damage.”
Examples
simple
“I see a small floater when I look at the sky.”
contextual
“The eye doctor tells her the floater is harmless and will become less noticeable over time.”
complex
“After the eye exam, he learns the persistent floater results from age-related changes in the vitreous gel rather than retinal damage.”
Etymology
From float + -er (suffix forming agent nouns). Compare Old English flota (“boat, ship", also "sailor, pirate”, literally “floater”), whence Middle English flote (“a fleet of ships", also, "a float, flotation device”).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
VERB
NOUN
ADJECTIVE
Domains
- 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.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL 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: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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QR code
englishreference.com/q/floater