afloat

[uh-floht]

adverb

1. floating or borne on the water; in a floating condition.

   The ship was set afloat.

2. on board a ship, boat, raft, etc.; at sea.

   cargo afloat and ashore.

3. covered with water; flooded; awash.

   The main deck was afloat.

4. moving without being guided or controlled; drifting.

5. passing from place to place; in circulation.

   A rumor is afloat.

6. free of major trouble, especially financially solvent.

   to keep a venture afloat.

afloat

/ əˈfləʊt /

adjective

1. floating

2. aboard ship; at sea

3. covered with water; flooded

4. aimlessly drifting

   afloat in a sea of indecision

5. in circulation; afoot

   nasty rumours were afloat

6. free of debt; solvent

Other Word Forms

• half-afloat adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of afloat¹

before 1000; Middle English, Old English on flote. See a- ¹, float

Example Sentences

Yet many households have been struggling to afford groceries, car payments or a first home, while spending by wealthier people and property owners has kept the economy afloat.

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Some have even warned that, in a worst-case scenario, Medicaid cuts to the already fiscally-strained hospital could leave it struggling to stay afloat.

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They raised about $16,000, took out loans and cut back elsewhere to stay afloat.

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These workers are turning to gig jobs—such as driving for Lyft or taking care of pets on Rover—to stay afloat until their paychecks resume, a reflection of increasing job instability for government employees.

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At the same time, the feats of Mr. Goddio and company—accomplished through a combination of mathematics, historical hunches and old-fashioned deep-sea diving—will keep a viewer afloat.

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Related Words

• adrift