afloat

adjective or adverb

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
Silly rumors were afloat.
b
: adrift

Examples of afloat in a Sentence

the boat can't stay afloat much longer
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The team is off to a slow start offensively, but Jalen Brunson is putting up big numbers to keep them afloat. Robert Marvi, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Oct. 2025 Leo, Kate, and Zane who keep the drama afloat. John Ortved, Vogue, 29 Oct. 2025 Some controllers are left with no choice but to accumulate debt or make difficult financial decisions to stay afloat. Alexandra Skores, CNN Money, 29 Oct. 2025 Discourse has been all but overtaken by geopolitics and the economy, with many in the sector wondering how to keep their businesses afloat, much less champion social and environmental advancement. Kate Nishimura, Sourcing Journal, 27 Oct. 2025 According to Bookman, his partner was struggling with substance abuse and was barely able to stay afloat, even with the success of his invention. Otto Rabe, Cincinnati Enquirer, 24 Oct. 2025 Earlier this month, the Department of Agriculture used tax revenue to allocate $300 million to keep the program — known in full as the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children — afloat. Aria Bendix, NBC news, 23 Oct. 2025 Pressing for payment could humiliate people, who often arrive with their extended families, Parmar explained, and in a community this close-knit, that could mean losing dozens of patients, including many of the Medicaid patients who keep the clinic afloat. Helen Ouyang, The Atlantic, 21 Oct. 2025 These are the moments when Alcott is at his best, navigating the murky waters of Harrison’s life with no Slice of Life to keep him afloat. Rosy Cordero, Deadline, 21 Oct. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English aflote, going back to Old English aflote, on flote, from a- a- entry 1, on on entry 1 + flote, dative of flot "deep water, sea" — more at float entry 1

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of afloat was before the 12th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Afloat.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/afloat. Accessed 6 Nov. 2025.

Kids Definition

afloat

adjective or adverb
1
a
: carried on or as if on the water
b
: being at sea
2
: circulating about : rumored
there was a story afloat

More from Merriam-Webster on afloat

Last Updated: - Definition revised
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