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

While the Ozu landmarks—“Late Spring,” “Early Summer,” “An Autumn Afternoon”—are examined in depth, so are such ’30s and ’40s efforts as “A Story of Floating Weeds” and “There Was a Father.”

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 30, 2026

The T. Rowe Price Floating Rate ETF, which yields nearly 7%, has posted a slightly positive return this year in a rocky environment.

From Barron's • Apr. 9, 2026

Floating storage of oil, said Babin, referring to crude that’s been in storage in tankers on the water, can provide some near-term supply flexibility, said Babin.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 2, 2026

Floating like a flower petal in the spring breeze.

From Salon • Feb. 17, 2026

Floating through the red mists he could still see the strange mouse hard on his heels.

From "Redwall" by Brian Jacques

Related Words

• soaring