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.
In-app purchases to keep afloat Both apps are free to download but feature in-app purchases. — Greta Cross, USA Today, 20 Aug. 2026 Long before becoming a Hollywood mainstay with a market cap of over $315 billion, Netflix was struggling to stay afloat. — Preston Fore, Fortune, 18 Aug. 2026 When their main breadwinner is detained, the immigrant households struggle to stay afloat. — Eleanor Nash, Kansas City Star, 18 Aug. 2026 Yet many of them are stuck on an exhausting financial hamster wheel, continually grinding to stay afloat. — Justin Donald, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 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 1 Sep. 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
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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