floating

American  

[floh-ting] / ˈfloʊ tɪŋ /

adjective

1. being buoyed up on water or other liquid.

2. having little or no attachment to a particular place; moving from one place to another.

   a floating workforce.

3. Pathology. away from its proper position, especially in a downward direction.

   a floating kidney.

4. not fixed or settled in a definite place or state.

   a floating population.

5. Finance.

   1. in circulation or use, or not permanently invested, as capital.

   2. composed of sums due within a short time.

      a floating debt.

6. Machinery.

   1. having a soft suspension greatly reducing vibrations between the suspended part and its support.

   2. working smoothly.

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floating British  

/ ˈfləʊtɪŋ /

adjective

1. having little or no attachment

2. (of an organ or part) displaced from the normal position or abnormally movable

   a floating kidney

3. not definitely attached to one place or policy; uncommitted or unfixed

   the floating vote

4. finance

   1. (of capital) not allocated or invested; available for current use

   2. (of debt) short-term and unfunded, usually raised by a government or company to meet current expenses

   3. (of a currency) free to fluctuate against other currencies in accordance with market forces

5. machinery operating smoothly through being free from external constraints

6. (of an electronic circuit or device) not connected to a source of voltage

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Other Word Forms

• floatingly
  adverb
• nonfloating
  adjective
• nonfloatingly
  adverb
• unfloating
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of floating

First recorded in 1555–65; float + -ing ²

Example Sentences

"I end up floating from the left to the right. We have so many people who can score us a goal," said the 25-year-old.

From BBC • May 6, 2026

The market is shifting from a “managed” adjustment, based on the release of strategic reserves and floating storage, to a “forced adjustment,” analysts at J.P.

From MarketWatch • May 5, 2026

It uses radar images from satellites, which send radio waves to Earth and measure how they bounce back, showing how far floating tank roofs have risen or fallen—and therefore how much crude is stored inside.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 3, 2026

A 1778 document with George Washington’s signature floating above the Oath of Allegiance.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 24, 2026

She awoke to find herself floating in beautiful heat.

From "Wolf Brother" by Michelle Paver

Related Words

• soaring