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

And the farmers were unable to count on a key revenue source to keep their farms afloat.

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Leasing land for turbines or solar panels brought in tens of thousands of dollars a year and kept many family farms afloat.

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The third stage of the Covid-19 Inquiry begins hearing evidence on Monday focusing on the measures taken to support workers' incomes and keep businesses afloat when the pandemic struck.

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When banks cut off Epstein over suspicious transactions, Kahn and Indyke took steps to keep Epstein afloat.

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As its run game struggled to find room, big pass plays kept USC afloat early.

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Related Words

• adrift