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

To stay afloat, Catawba County sought to diversify its economic gains and began looking into data centers. — Charlotte Observer, 25 June 2026

But those are optimistic goals for a regime that has proven unable or unwilling to keep its own economy afloat. — David Goldman, CNN Money, 17 June 2026

If there’s any big bugaboo in his profile, he can be beaten by higher-end velocity, but his ability to adjust to secondary offerings keeps him afloat. — Gary Bedore, Kansas City Star, 10 June 2026

The man, who has not been identified, was last seen in the water after assisting a woman who had been struggling to stay afloat. — Anthony Thompson, USA Today, 9 June 2026

The Yankees haven’t always stayed afloat when Judge gets hurt; the 2023 season is a prime example. — Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 8 June 2026

Myron reached the man and kept him afloat until help arrived, the wife said. — Kelly McGreal, FOXNews.com, 3 June 2026

The artist behind the series descended into poverty following the breakdown that left her unable to paint; years later her teen daughter, Indigo, herself a gifted artist, is barely keeping the two of them afloat. — Literary Hub, 2 June 2026

The Thunder need to win the 3-point battle and his big shooting nights have been what’s kept them afloat. — The Athletic Nba Staff, New York Times, 29 May 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