float (fl t)v. float·ed, float·ing, floats v.intr.1. a. To remain suspended within or on the surface of a fluid without sinking. b. To be suspended in or move through space as if supported by a liquid. 2. To move from place to place, especially at random. 3. To move easily or lightly: "Miss Golightly . . . floated round in their arms light as a scarf" Truman Capote. 4. Economics To find a level in relationship to other currencies solely in response to the law of supply and demand: allowed the dollar to float. v.tr.1. To cause to remain suspended without sinking or falling. 2. a. To put into the water; launch: float a ship; float a navy. b. To start or establish (a business enterprise, for example). 3. To flood (land), as for irrigation. 4. Economics To allow (the exchange value of a currency) to find freely its real level in relationship to other currencies. 5. To offer for consideration; suggest: floated my idea to the committee. 6. To release (a security) for sale. 7. To arrange for (a loan). 8. To make the surface of (plaster, for example) level or smooth. 9. Computer Science To convert (data) from fixed-point notation to floating-point notation. n.1. Something that floats, as: a. A raft. b. A buoy. c. A life preserver. d. A buoyant object, such as a cork, used to hold a net or fishing line afloat. e. A landing platform attached to a wharf and floating on the water. f. A floating ball attached to a lever to regulate the water level in a tank. 2. Biology An air-filled sac or structure that aids in the flotation of an aquatic organism. Also called air bladder, air vesicle. 3. A decorated exhibit or scene mounted on a mobile platform and pulled or driven in a parade. 4. A sum of money representing checks that are outstanding. 5. A tool for smoothing the surface of plaster or cement. 6. A soft drink with ice cream floating in it. See Regional Note at milk shake.
[Middle English floten, from Old English flotian; see pleu- in Indo-European roots.]
float a·ble adj. |
float Verb 1. to rest on the surface of a fluid without sinking 2. to move lightly or freely across a surface or through air or water 3. to move about aimlessly, esp. in the mind: a pleasant image floated into his mind 4. a. to launch (a commercial enterprise, etc.) b. to offer for sale on the stock market 5. Finance to allow (a currency) to fluctuate against other currencies Noun 1. an inflatable object that helps people learning to swim stay afloat 2. Angling an indicator attached to a baited line that moves when a fish bites 3. a long rigid boatlike structure, of which there are usually two, attached to an aircraft instead of wheels so that it can land on and take off from water 4. a decorated lorry that is part of a procession 5. a small delivery vehicle: milk floats 6. Austral & NZ a vehicle for transporting horses 7. a sum of money used to cover small expenses or provide change 8. the hollow floating ball of a ball cock [Old English flotian]
float (flt) An air-filled sac in certain aquatic organisms, such as kelp, that helps maintain buoyancy. Also called air bladder, air vesicle. |
Float of dancers: a company of female dancers— Lipton, 1970.
ThesaurusLegend: Synonyms Related Words Antonyms | Noun | 1. | float - the time interval between the deposit of a check in a bank and its payment | | 2. | float - the number of shares outstanding and available for trading by the publicstock - the capital raised by a corporation through the issue of shares entitling holders to an ownership interest (equity); "he owns a controlling share of the company's stock" | | 3. |  float - a drink with ice cream floating in itdrink - a single serving of a beverage; "I asked for a hot drink"; "likes a drink before dinner" root beer float - an ice-cream soda made with ice cream floating in root beer | | 4. | float - an elaborate display mounted on a platform carried by a truck (or pulled by a truck) in a procession or parade | | 5. | float - a hand tool with a flat face used for smoothing and finishing the surface of plaster or cement or stucco | | 6. | float - something that floats on the surface of waterchip - a triangular wooden float attached to the end of a log line pontoon - a float supporting a seaplane raft - a flat float (usually made of logs or planks) that can be used for transport or as a platform for swimmers | | 7. |  float - an air-filled sac near the spinal column in many fishes that helps maintain buoyancysac - a structure resembling a bag in an animal | | Verb | 1. | float - be in motion due to some air or water current; "The leaves were blowing in the wind"; "the boat drifted on the lake"; "The sailboat was adrift on the open sea"; "the shipwrecked boat drifted away from the shore"go, locomote, move, travel - change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically; "How fast does your new car go?"; "We travelled from Rome to Naples by bus"; "The policemen went from door to door looking for the suspect"; "The soldiers moved towards the city in an attempt to take it before night fell"; "news travelled fast" float - move lightly, as if suspended; "The dancer floated across the stage" waft - be driven or carried along, as by the air; "Sounds wafted into the room" tide - be carried with the tide drift - cause to be carried by a current; "drift the boats downstream" stream - to extend, wave or float outward, as if in the wind; "their manes streamed like stiff black pennants in the wind" | | 2. | float - be afloat either on or below a liquid surface and not sink to the bottomgo, locomote, move, travel - change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically; "How fast does your new car go?"; "We travelled from Rome to Naples by bus"; "The policemen went from door to door looking for the suspect"; "The soldiers moved towards the city in an attempt to take it before night fell"; "news travelled fast" float - move lightly, as if suspended; "The dancer floated across the stage" float - set afloat; "He floated the logs down the river"; "The boy floated his toy boat on the pond" buoy - float on the surface of water | | 3. | float - set afloat; "He floated the logs down the river"; "The boy floated his toy boat on the pond"float - put into the water; "float a ship" tide - cause to float with the tide drift - cause to be carried by a current; "drift the boats downstream" refloat - set afloat again; "refloat a grounded boat" float, swim - be afloat either on or below a liquid surface and not sink to the bottom transport - move something or somebody around; usually over long distances | | 4. | float - circulate or discuss tentatively; test the waters with; "The Republicans are floating the idea of a tax reform"test, try out, try, essay, examine, prove - put to the test, as for its quality, or give experimental use to; "This approach has been tried with good results"; "Test this recipe" | | 5. | float - move lightly, as if suspended; "The dancer floated across the stage"go, locomote, move, travel - change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically; "How fast does your new car go?"; "We travelled from Rome to Naples by bus"; "The policemen went from door to door looking for the suspect"; "The soldiers moved towards the city in an attempt to take it before night fell"; "news travelled fast" be adrift, drift, float, blow - be in motion due to some air or water current; "The leaves were blowing in the wind"; "the boat drifted on the lake"; "The sailboat was adrift on the open sea"; "the shipwrecked boat drifted away from the shore" float, swim - be afloat either on or below a liquid surface and not sink to the bottom ride - be sustained or supported or borne; "His glasses rode high on his nose"; "The child rode on his mother's hips"; "She rode a wave of popularity"; "The brothers rode to an easy victory on their father's political name" | | 6. | float - put into the water; "float a ship"launch - propel with force; "launch the space shuttle"; "Launch a ship" float - set afloat; "He floated the logs down the river"; "The boy floated his toy boat on the pond" | | 7. | float - make the surface of level or smooth; "float the plaster"smooth, smoothen - make smooth or smoother, as if by rubbing; "smooth the surface of the wood" | | 8. | float - allow (currencies) to fluctuate; "The government floated the ruble for a few months"value - fix or determine the value of; assign a value to; "value the jewelry and art work in the estate" | | 9. | float - convert from a fixed point notation to a floating point notation; "float data"convert, change over - change from one system to another or to a new plan or policy; "We converted from 220 to 110 Volt" |
float verb 2. be buoyant, stay afloat, be or lie on the surface, rest on water, hang, hover, poise, displace water << OPPOSITE sink  Translations float [fləut] n → flotador m; ( in procession) → carroza (= sum of money); (dinero suelto para) cambio
 float [fləut] n → flotteur m;
 float [fləut] n → Schwimmkork m; (lorry) → Festwagen m; (person) → herumschweben (inf); (object) → herumfliegen (inf)
 float [fləut] n → galleggiante m;
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