SINCE 1828

An Encyclopædia Britannica Company

afloat

adjective or adverb \ ə-ˈflōt \

Updated on: 9 Mar 2018

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

See afloat defined for English-language learners

See afloat defined for kids

Recent Examples of afloat from the Web

But a proposal is afloat to restore lake herring in Lake Michigan.

— paul a. smith, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Smith: Lake herring restoration is being considered for Lake Michigan," 3 Jan. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'afloat.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of afloat

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

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: before 12th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1a

See Words from the same year

afloat Synonyms

Synonyms

Antonyms

Near Antonyms

aground, high and dry;

Related Words

buoyant, unsinkable;

awash, drifting, gliding, hanging, hovering, poised, sailing, wafting;

AFLOAT Defined for English Language Learners

afloat

adjective

Definition of afloat for English Language Learners

: floating on water
: having enough money to continue : able to continue without suffering financial failure

AFLOAT Defined for Kids

afloat

adverb or adjective \ ə-ˈflōt \

Definition of afloat for Students

: carried on or as if on water

The boat stayed afloat through the storm.

Learn More about afloat

See words that rhyme with afloat Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for afloat Spanish Central: Translation of afloat Nglish: Translation of afloat for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of afloat for Arabic speakers

Seen and Heard

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

show

WORD OF THE DAY

slew

play

a large number

BROWSE DICTIONARY

AFL-CIO

aflicker

afloat

aflow

aflower

Test Your Vocabulary

Odd Habits and Quirks Quiz

Which of the following best describes an easily irritated person?

Test your knowledge - and maybe learn something along the way.

TAKE THE QUIZ

SCRABBLE® Sprint

Test Your Knowledge - and learn some interesting things along the way.

TAKE THE QUIZ

Words at Play

alt-5adf93a49b0b2

The Fossil Encased in "Case In Point"

"In point" only lives in this phrase.

alt-5adf5d017e6bf

‘Sleight’ or ‘Slight’ of Hand?

Watch closely and be amazed.

alt-5ade0f1ca7a0c

'Complement' vs. 'Compliment'

The distinction is clear (now).

Words from Letters in the Greek Alphabet

When English borrows from another alphabet

Ask the Editors

2017 Word of the Year: Behind the Scenes

How we chose 'feminism'

video-title-words-of-the-year-1066

Words of the Year: 1066

Or, Why Pig Meat is Called 'Pork' and Cow Meat is Called 'Beef'

video-literally

Literally

How to use a word that (literally) drives some people nuts.

video-his-or-her

Is Singular 'They' a Better Choice?

The awkward case of 'his or her'

Word Games

Odd Habits and Quirks Quiz

Test your knowledge of strange human behaviors.

Take the quiz

cats-on-impossible-timber

More Confusing Words—Quiz

How many of these commonly confused words do you know?

Take the quiz

True or False?

Test your knowledge - and maybe learn something along the way.

Take the quiz

SCRABBLE® Sprint

SCRABBLE® Sprint

SCRABBLE® fans, sharpen your skills!

Play the game