Test Your Vocabulary

Take Our 10-Question Quiz

Name That Thing

Take our visual vocab quiz

Test Your Knowledge »

True or False?

A quick quiz about stuff worth knowing

Take It Now »

Join Us on FB & Twitter

Get the Word of the Day and More

Facebook | Twitter

afloat


afloat

adj or adv \ə-ˈflōt\

Definition of AFLOAT

1
a : borne on or as if on the water b : being at sea
2
: free of difficulties : self-sufficient <the inheritance kept them afloat for years>
3
a : circulating about <nasty stories were afloat> b : adrift

Origin of AFLOAT

Middle English aflot, from Old English on flot, from on + flot, from flot deep water, sea; akin to Old English flēotan to float — more at fleet
First Known Use: before 12th century

Browse

Next Word in the Dictionary: aflow
Previous Word in the Dictionary: aflicker
All Words Near: afloat

Seen & Heard

What made you want to look up afloat? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).