float
float — verb
1. to rest on top of a liquid such as water without sinking down into it.
to rest on top of a liquid such as water without sinking down into it.
A dry leaf floated on the surface of the pond all morning.
float + on + surface of [liquid]
The children watched their toy boat float across the swimming pool.
float across [body of water]
Wood floats on water, but stones sink straight to the bottom.
Talia held her breath and floated on her back in the calm sea.
The empty kayak floated gently on the quiet lake near the shore.
- stay afloat
emphasises not sinking rather than the action of resting on top
- drift
implies passive movement with the current, not just staying in place
- sink
to go down below the surface of a liquid
文法句型
float + on/in/along [liquid]
常見錯誤
2. to be carried along by water or air with little effort, or to push an object so
to be carried along by water or air with little effort, or to push an object so that it moves this way across water or through air.
The small boat floated slowly down the river toward the old bridge.
float down [river/stream] (intransitive)
White clouds floated across the blue sky above the mountain village.
Darius floated his paper boat on the stream after the heavy rain stopped.
The sweet smell of fresh bread floated through the open kitchen window.
Ari and his sister floated the wooden raft away from the dock with a long pole.
- drift
emphasises movement carried by current or wind rather than floating as a state
文法句型
float + [adverb/preposition]
float + object + [adverb/preposition]
用法筆記
This sense can be either transitive (you float something) or intransitive (something floats). The transitive use means 'to cause something to float in a particular direction.'
3. to step or glide with a light, smooth, and elegant motion, as if carried by air.
to step or glide with a light, smooth, and elegant motion, as if carried by air.
The dancer in the long white dress floated across the stage with ease.
float across [surface] (graceful movement)
Anong walked into the room and seemed to float across the wooden floor.
In the wedding video, the bride floated down the stairs with a happy smile.
The figure skater floated over the ice as if gravity had no hold on her.
Élise floated through the garden in her summer dress, greeting the guests.
文法句型
float + [adverb/preposition]
用法筆記
This sense describes a person's graceful way of moving, not actual floating. It is common in descriptions of dancers, skaters, or anyone moving with lightness and elegance.
4. to move between places, jobs, or activities without a fixed plan or clear purpos
to move between places, jobs, or activities without a fixed plan or clear purpose.
After university, Darius floated from job to job without any real plan.
float from [x] to [y] (aimless movement)
The cat floated around the house all day, never staying in one spot for long.
Ayesha has been floating between different hobbies, unable to choose one she loves.
Instead of focusing on one career, he just floats and takes whatever comes along.
The group of teenagers floated around the park, not sure what to do next.
- settle
to choose a fixed path and commit to it
文法句型
float + [adverb/preposition] (aimlessly)
float from [place/activity] to [place/activity]
用法筆記
This sense often carries a slightly negative tone, suggesting a lack of direction or commitment. Common in patterns like 'float from X to Y' or 'float around.'
常見錯誤
5. to mention an idea or plan to someone in order to see what they think about it b
to mention an idea or plan to someone in order to see what they think about it before making a final decision.
Camila floated the idea of a team trip during the weekly staff meeting.
float the idea of [something]
The manager floated a new plan for reducing energy costs in the office.
float + [plan/proposal]
Hari floated the suggestion that the team should move to a bigger workspace.
At dinner, Theo floated the idea of spending the summer holiday in Japan.
Nobody objected when the principal floated the proposal for a new library wing.
- suggest
more direct and definite; 'float' is more tentative
- propose
more formal and serious than 'float'
- put forward
similar register to 'float'; slightly more formal
文法句型
float + noun (idea/plan/proposal/suggestion)
float the idea of [doing something]
用法筆記
Common in workplace and social contexts. The idea is 'tested' — you float it to see if people like it before committing. Usually followed by 'of + doing something' or a noun phrase.
常見錯誤
6. to let the exchange rate of a national currency move up and down based on market
to let the exchange rate of a national currency move up and down based on market forces, instead of keeping it at a fixed level.
The central bank decided to float the peso against the US dollar last year.
float [currency] against [another currency]
After the financial crisis, the government chose to float its currency freely.
Countries that float their currency let the open market decide its daily value.
When a nation floats its currency, the rate can shift from one day to the next.
- let fluctuate
describes the result rather than the policy decision
- free
as in 'free the currency'; rarer and more journalistic
- peg
to fix a currency's value to another currency or a commodity like gold
文法句型
float + currency name (dollar/peso/yen/etc.)
be floated against [another currency]
用法筆記
Used almost exclusively in economics and finance. The opposite is 'to peg' a currency — to fix its value to another currency. Subject is always a government or central bank.
常見錯誤
7. to offer shares of a company to the public on a stock market through an initial
to offer shares of a company to the public on a stock market through an initial public offering, giving ordinary investors a chance to buy them.
The tech startup plans to float its shares on the stock market next spring.
float shares on [stock market]
The family business was floated on the London Stock Exchange in 2021.
be floated on [exchange] (passive)
Christopher's company floated twenty million new shares to raise investment capital.
Investors were excited when the green energy firm announced plans to float next quarter.
- go public
the more common American English equivalent; 'go public' is intransitive
- launch an IPO
formal and technical; precise financial term
- delist
to remove a company's shares from the stock market
文法句型
float + company/shares
be floated on [stock exchange]
用法筆記
This meaning is more common in British English ('float' the company). In American English, 'go public' or 'take public' is more frequently used. The noun form 'flotation' (or 'floatation') describes the process itself.
常見錯誤
float — noun
1. some cash that a worker in a shop, bar, or restaurant prepares at the start of t
some cash that a worker in a shop, bar, or restaurant prepares at the start of the day so they can give customers their change.
The bartender checked his float before the evening rush of customers began.
check the float
Ari always takes a fifty-dollar float from the safe before opening the shop in the morning.
take a float
The cashier counted her float at the start of her shift and again at closing.
The manager found the float was short by ten dollars at the end of the night.
- change fund
more formal term used in accounting
- cash float
emphasises it is physical cash
文法句型
have/keep a float
check the float
用法筆記
The float belongs to the business, not the employee. It is counted at the start and end of each shift to make sure the cash in the till is correct.
常見錯誤
2. a large decorated platform on wheels that carries displays, performers, or music
a large decorated platform on wheels that carries displays, performers, or music in a festival parade.
The high school band marched behind a colourful float decorated with paper flowers.
Children waved happily from the parade float as it moved slowly down the main street.
parade float
The float was covered in fresh flowers and carried a band playing cheerful music.
Each year the local businesses compete to build the best float for the New Year parade.
- parade float
the full term; 'float' is the shortened version
文法句型
parade float
carnival float
build/design a float
用法筆記
Floats are most commonly associated with parades for New Year, Carnival, Mardi Gras, Thanksgiving, and Pride events. Building a float can take weeks of preparation.
3. a small buoyant object tied to a fishing line that sits on the water's top and s
a small buoyant object tied to a fishing line that sits on the water's top and signals a fish bite by bobbing or sinking.
The fisherman watched his red float closely, waiting for a fish to bite the bait.
watch the float
A small white float bobbed on the water near the edge of the quiet lake.
Tariro put a plastic float on his line to keep the hook at the right depth.
When the float suddenly disappeared under the water, Tariro knew he had caught something.
文法句型
fishing float
watch the float
attach a float
用法筆記
The float acts as a visual signal — when a fish bites the bait, the float moves or goes under the water. Also called a 'bobber' in American English.
4. a light object made of plastic or foam that a person learning to swim can hold o
a light object made of plastic or foam that a person learning to swim can hold onto to stay on the surface of the water.
The swimming instructor gave each child a blue float to hold while learning to kick.
hold a float
Anong held the float tightly and practised kicking her legs in the water.
Beginners often use a float to build confidence before swimming without support.
The pool has a basket of floats near the shallow end for anyone learning to swim.
文法句型
hold a float
swim with a float
use a float
用法筆記
In British English, this is commonly called simply 'a float.' In American English, 'kickboard' is more common for the flat foam board, while 'float' often refers to the pool toy sense (noun 5).
5. a plastic object filled with air that people lie on or play with in a swimming p
a plastic object filled with air that people lie on or play with in a swimming pool or at the beach.
The children spent the afternoon playing on their inflatable pool floats in the backyard.
inflatable pool float
Talia lay on a large pink float with a cold drink balanced carefully in her hand.
A float shaped like a giant flamingo drifted slowly across the hotel swimming pool.
We need to pump more air into the float before taking it to the beach tomorrow.
The shop sells colourful floats in the shape of unicorns, pizzas, and watermelons.
- pool lounger
specifically a float designed for lying on
- lilo
British English term; originally a brand name now used generically
文法句型
pool float
inflatable float
lie on a float
用法筆記
Pool floats come in many novelty shapes (animals, food, rings, loungers). They are also called 'pool loungers' or by the brand name 'lilo' in British English.
6. a cold drink made by putting a scoop of ice cream into a carbonated drink such a
a cold drink made by putting a scoop of ice cream into a carbonated drink such as cola or root beer.
The diner serves a root beer float with a big scoop of vanilla ice cream.
root beer float
Élise ordered a float made of lemon soda and strawberry ice cream.
On a hot summer afternoon, a cold float with a straw is hard to beat.
The café sells three kinds of float: cola, root beer, and orange soda.
- ice cream soda
common alternative name, especially in the US
- spider
Australian English term for a float
文法句型
root beer float
ice cream float
order a float
用法筆記
The most famous variety is the root beer float. The phrase 'ice cream float' is used in British English and some other varieties. In Australia, it is sometimes called a 'spider.'