afloat

adjective or adverb

ə-ˈflōt How to pronounce afloat (audio)
Synonyms of afloatnext
1
a
: borne on or as if on the water
b
: being at sea
2
: free of difficulties : self-sufficient
the inheritance kept them afloat for years
3
a
: circulating about
Silly rumors were afloat.
b
: adrift

Synonyms of afloat

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Examples of afloat in a Sentence

the boat can't stay afloat much longer
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Talk of creating an ambitious trail on this land dates back to the 1980s, when the Northwestern Pacific Railroad was struggling to stay afloat. — Lila Seidman, Los Angeles Times, 19 Oct. 2026 Unlike previous Ship splashdowns, though, which have exploded after tipping over into the water, Ship 40 remained largely intact and afloat. — Josh Dinner, Space.com, 14 Oct. 2026 Such outlets depended heavily on taxpayer funding, which fed into state advertising and government communication campaigns, and have now lost the support that kept them afloat. — Dominique Soguel, Christian Science Monitor, 13 Oct. 2026 The guest lectures, speaking engagements, and board memberships have all dried up, and Housewives is pretty much the only thing keeping her afloat. — Shamira Ibrahim, Vulture, 12 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for afloat

Word History

Etymology

Middle English aflote, going back to Old English aflote, on flote, from a- a- entry 1, on on entry 1 + flote, dative of flot "deep water, sea" — more at float entry 1

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of afloat was before the 12th century

Rhymes for afloat

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Browse Nearby Words

aflicker
afloat
aflow
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Cite this Entry

“Afloat.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/afloat. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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Kids Definition

afloat

adjective or adverb
ə-ˈflōt How to pronounce afloat (audio)
1
a
: carried on or as if on the water
b
: being at sea
2
: circulating about : rumored
there was a story afloat
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