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Float: meaning, definitions and examples

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float

 

[fləʊt ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Verb

mathematics

To move or hover steadily in a liquid or the air without sinking or falling.

Synonyms

drift, glide, hover.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
float

Used when something is lightly suspended in liquid or air without sinking.

  • The leaves float on the surface of the river
  • The balloon floats in the air
drift

Refers to a slow, steady movement often caused by outside forces like wind or water currents.

  • The boat began to drift away from the shore
  • Snow started to drift across the road
glide

Describes a smooth and often effortless movement through or over a surface.

  • The skater can glide gracefully across the ice
  • The bird glides through the sky with outstretched wings
hover

Indicates staying in one place in the air, usually with slight, controlled movements.

  • The helicopter can hover above the landing pad
  • A hummingbird hovers while sipping nectar from a flower

Examples of usage

  • The boat floated on the water.
  • The balloon floated in the sky.
Context #2 | Noun

finance

A sum of money that is deposited or invested for a certain period and yields interest.

Synonyms

capital, fund, investment.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
float

Usually used in finance to describe the release of a company’s shares to the public.

  • The company decided to float its shares on the stock market.
  • The IPO allowed the startup to float and raise substantial capital.
capital

Refers to wealth in the form of money or assets, used to start or maintain a business.

  • The new business required a large amount of capital to get started.
  • She invested all her capital in the new venture.
investment

Refers to the act of putting money into something to gain profit or achieve a return.

  • Real estate is considered a solid investment.
  • Her investment in technology stocks paid off handsomely.
fund

Denotes a pool of money set aside for a specific purpose, often used in investing or saving.

  • He decided to put his savings into an education fund for his children.
  • The charity received a substantial donation to their emergency fund.

Examples of usage

  • She put her savings into a high-interest float.
  • The company had a large cash float.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

  • The word comes from the Old English 'flōtan', which means 'to swim or float'.
  • Throughout history, variations of the term appeared in different languages, often describing buoyancy in water.
  • Related terms in Middle English included 'floten', reflecting the development of the word through time.

Science

  • The concept of floating is governed by the principle of buoyancy, which states that lighter objects can rest on heavier substances like water.
  • Objects less dense than water will float, while denser objects will sink – that's why a big ship can float while a small rock cannot.
  • Gasses, like helium in balloons, are lighter than air, allowing them to float up into the sky.

Art and Culture

  • In literature, floating often symbolizes freedom, lightness, or the feeling of escape, as seen in various poetic works.
  • Festivals around the world feature floating lanterns or boats, representing hopes and dreams, adding cultural significance to the concept.
  • Children's animations frequently depict characters that float to convey whimsy and magic, creating a sense of wonder.

Technology

  • In programming and software, 'floating-point' refers to a way of representing real numbers that can support a wide range of values.
  • Innovations like floating wind turbines harness wind energy while floating on water, providing a renewable energy source.
  • Buoyant structures are essential in marine architecture, allowing platforms and living spaces to adapt to changing tides.

Psychology

  • The sensation of floating can evoke feelings of relaxation and weightlessness, often explored in mindfulness and meditation practices.
  • Metaphorically, people may talk about 'floating' through life during times of stress or uncertainty, suggesting a lack of direction.
  • Therapists sometimes use floatation therapy, an immersive experience in saltwater, to help reduce anxiety and enhance well-being.

Translations

Translations of the word "float" in other languages:

🇵🇹 flutuar

🇮🇳 तैरना

🇩🇪 schweben

🇮🇩 mengapung

🇺🇦 плавати

🇵🇱 unosić się

🇯🇵 浮く (uku)

🇫🇷 flotter

🇪🇸 flotar

🇹🇷 yüzmek

🇰🇷 떠다니다 (tteodanida)

🇸🇦 يطفو

🇨🇿 plavat

🇸🇰 plávať

🇨🇳 漂浮 (piāofú)

🇸🇮 plavati

🇮🇸 fljóta

🇰🇿 жүзіп жүру

🇬🇪 ცურვა

🇦🇿 üzmək

🇲🇽 flotar

Word Frequency Rank

At #6,967 in frequency, this word belongs to advanced vocabulary. It's less common than core vocabulary but important for sophisticated expression.