afloat

adjective or adverb

ə-ˈflōt 

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

Synonyms of afloat

• floating

Examples of afloat in a Sentence

the boat can't stay afloat much longer

Recent Examples on the Web

Recovery and transformation As small businesses in the area fought to stay afloat, an injection of federal cash helped the effort. — Emma Seiwell, New York Daily News, 11 Sep. 2026

McArn argued that rescinding the MOU had worsened the district’s financial position and reiterated that restoring the agreement would help the district stay afloat. — Chaewon Chung updated September 10, Sacbee.com, 10 Sep. 2026

Colombian medical clinics serving Venezuelan migrants closed after private funders kept them afloat for several months. — James Pollard, Los Angeles Times, 9 Sep. 2026

Though now, the campus is shifting more digital to stay financially afloat and keep up with a changing educational landscape. — Lacey Beasley, CBS News, 28 Aug. 2026

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

Rhymes for afloat

• azote
• banknote
• bareboat
• benzoate
• connote
• cutthroat
• demote
• denote
• devote
• endnote
• footnote
• greatcoat

Kids Definition

afloat

adjective or adverb

ə-ˈflōt 

1

a

: carried on or as if on the water

b

: being at sea

2

: circulating about : rumored

there was a story afloat