Float Meaning and Definition
Float
Pronunciation
/floʊt/
Part of Speech
Noun or Verb
Definition
n.: an object or portion of a substance suspended in a liquid or a gas, typically so that it remains near the surface; vb.: to cause (something) to be suspended in a liquid or a gas
Examples
- The oil tanker was in danger of sinking with its cargo of floating oil.
- The scientist floated the buoy in the ocean to test the water’s density.
Synonyms
- Floating object
- Buoy
Antonyms
- Sink
- Submerge
Etymology
The word “Float” has its origins in the Middle English word “floxten”, which means “to float” or “to drift”. This word is derived from the Old English word “flōtan”, which is related to the Proto-Germanic word “*flōtanaz”, meaning “to float” or “to flow”.
Usage Notes
The verb “to float” is often used in the context of industrial processes, such as the floating of materials in water or the floating of oil in the sea.
Cultural References
In popular culture, the concept of floating has been referenced in films such as “The Matrix” and “Lost”.
Idiomatic Expressions or Phrases
- On the same wavelength as someone (i.e. to be in agreement)
- To float an idea (i.e. to propose or suggest something)
Related Words or Phrases
- Drift
- Sink
- Submerge
Collocations
- Float on the surface
- Float above
- Float in the air
Frequency of Use
The word “Float” is commonly used in both scientific and everyday contexts, with a frequency of approximately 1.23 per 100,000 words in modern English language usage.
Common Misspellings
- Flote
- Floot