- float
- verb1》 rest or cause to rest on the surface of a liquid without sinking.↘be suspended freely in a liquid or gas.2》 move slowly or hover in a liquid or the air.↘move in a casual or leisurely way.↘(in sport) make (the ball) travel lightly and effortlessly through the air.3》 put forward (an idea) as a suggestion or test of reactions.4》 offer the shares of (a company) for sale on the stock market for the first time.5》 (of a currency) fluctuate freely in value.noun1》 any hollow or lightweight object or device used to achieve buoyancy in water.↘a small floating object attached to a fishing line to signal the bite of a fish.↘a floating device which forms part of a valve apparatus controlling a flow of water.2》 Brit. a small vehicle or cart powered by electricity.↘a platform mounted on a truck and carrying a display in a procession.3》 Brit. a sum of money used for change at the beginning of a period of selling in a shop, stall, etc.4》 chiefly N. Amer. a soft drink with a scoop of ice cream floating in it.5》 a hand tool with a rectangular blade used for smoothing plaster.Phrasesfloat someone's boat informal appeal to or excite someone.Derivativesfloatable adjectiveOriginOE flotian, of Gmc origin and related to fleet5.
English new terms dictionary. 2014.