i Register
In some senses, afloat is marked as figuratively, obsolete. Watch for register when choosing this word.
afloat
/əˈfloʊt/
adv 5adj 5prep 1
Collocations
6(adj.) floating on water
VERBS
be | remain, stay
set sth
After weeks of hard work, the team finally set their homemade raft afloat in the river.
keep sth
The small charity managed to keep the organization afloat during the economic crisis.
(adj.) able to survive financially
VERBS
keep, stay
The small business managed to stay afloat during the difficult economic times.
keep sth
She worked two jobs to keep her small family afloat during difficult times.
Definitions
adv
1
In or into a state of floating.
You have so little Brains, that a Penn’orth of Butter melted under ’um, would set ’um afloat:
[…] I went down to my Boat, got the Water out of her, and got her afloat, loaded all my Cargo in her, and then went Home again for more;
2
In, or while in, a vessel at sea or on another body of water; at sea.
[…] that trade […] may likewise employ many useful hands both ashore and afloat,
They was the roughest crew afloat, was Flint’s; the devil himself would have been feared to go to sea with them.
3
Under water (bearing floating objects).
1695, Edmund Gibson (translator), Camden’s Britannia, London: A. Swalle, “Staffordshire,” […] it [the River Dove] overflows and lays the meadows afloat in April, like another Nile.
4
In or into circulation or currency.
setting a lie aflote
[…] I shall not be judged fairly; it will get afloat that I am not a good girl,
5
In or into a condition of stimulation, arousal, confusion, bewilderment, etc.
No angry passions rise to disturb the silent progress of the work, […] no irritable humours are set afloat:
[…] they knew how to abstain from the overdose of liquor that sets the brain afloat and loosens the tongue.
adj
1
Floating.
A rubber duck and other toys were afloat in the bath.
On such a full sea are we now afloat; / And we must take the current when it serves, / Or lose our ventures.
2
In, or found while in, a vessel at sea or on another body of water.
[…] that trade […] may likewise employ many useful hands both ashore and afloat,
3
Floating in the air; flowing freely; not tied, braided, etc. (of hair or clothing)
her black hair loose and a-float down her dazzling white neck
unbound silvery-gold tresses afloat beneath a jeweled coronet
4
Covered with water, bearing floating objects.
The decks are afloat.
The yard was afloat. Jody looked out of the window and saw two drowned biddies floating about with upturned bellies.
5
Covered, overspread, filled (with or in something).
The larch-wood was afloat with clear, lyric green,
The world was afloat in primrose light, pale and exquisite.
prep
1
Floating upon.
early 1600s, John Webster and William Rowley, The Thracian Wonder, London: Thomas Johnson, 1661, Act I, Scene 1, But Huswife, as for you, / You with your Brat, wee’l send afloat the Main,
[…] great wee see must be the art and cunning of that man, that keeps him afloat the streame of Soveraigne favour,
Thesaurus
Synonyms
Antonyms
Idioms & Phrases
Example Bank
601
You have so little Brains, that a Penn’orth of Butter melted under ’um, would set ’um afloat:
Wiktionary02
[…] I went down to my Boat, got the Water out of her, and got her afloat, loaded all my Cargo in her, and then went Home again for more;
Wiktionary03
Oh why is heaven built so far, / Oh why is earth set so remote? / I cannot reach the nearest star / That hangs afloat.
Wiktionary04
A rubber duck and other toys were afloat in the bath.
Wiktionary05
On such a full sea are we now afloat; / And we must take the current when it serves, / Or lose our ventures.
Wiktionary06
[…] that trade […] may likewise employ many useful hands both ashore and afloat,
WiktionaryUsage Notes
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