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

But over the past two games, the rotation has done enough to stay afloat, and the rest of the roster hasn’t. — Tyler M. Carmona july 11, Miami Herald, 12 July 2026

The program offers one-on-one coaching with participants beyond the program to ensure the business not only gets off the ground, but also stays afloat. — Sean Timberlake, Sacbee.com, 8 July 2026

Throughout the tumultuous circumstances brought on by COVID-19, Kansas City managed to find a way to open new attractions and to keep its small businesses afloat. — Meghan Palmer, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 July 2026

And while the voucher may increase demand, facilities like this often have to leverage other sources of money to keep programs like Swim Buddies afloat. — Jonaki Mehta, NPR, 1 July 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