# float

> English word · Verb · IPA /fləʊt/ · frequency rank #7,793

## Definitions
1. To be supported by a fluid of greater density (than the object).
2. To be supported by a fluid of greater density (than the object).
3. To cause something to be suspended in a fluid of greater density.
4. To be capable of floating.
5. To move in a particular direction with the liquid in which one is floating.
6. To drift or wander aimlessly.
7. To drift gently through the air.
8. To cause to drift gently through the air, to waft.
9. To move in a fluid manner.
10. To circulate.
11. To remain airborne, without touching down, for an excessive length of time during landing, due to excessive airspeed during the landing flare.
12. Of an idea or scheme, to be viable.
13. To propose (an idea) for consideration.
14. To automatically adjust a parameter as related parameters change.
15. To not be tied to a reference.
16. To not be tied to a reference.
17. To not be tied to a reference.
18. To extend a short-term loan to.
19. To issue or sell shares in a company (or units in a trust) to members of the public, followed by listing on a stock exchange.
20. To spread plaster over (a surface), using the tool called a float.
21. To use a float (rasp-like tool) upon.
22. To transport by float (vehicular trailer).
23. To perform a float.
24. To cause (an element within a document) to float above or beside others.
25. To prepare a till (cash register) for operation, either by putting a float (cash amount) in the cash drawer to provide change for customers making cash payments or (by extension) by recording the time a till starts being used for card payments if it is card-only

## Etymology
From Middle English floten, from Old English flotian (“to float”), from Proto-West Germanic *flotōn, from Proto-Germanic *flutōną (“to float”), from Proto-Indo-European *plewd-, *plew- (“to float, swim, fly”). Compare flow, fleet.

## Easily confused with
- **foot** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/float-vs-foot)
- **flow** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/float-vs-flow)
- **fort** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/float-vs-fort)
- **font** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/float-vs-font)
- **foam** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/float-vs-foam)
- **flop** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/float-vs-flop)
- **frat** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/float-vs-frat)
- **foal** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/float-vs-foal)
- **flor** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/float-vs-flor)
- **flog** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/float-vs-flog)
- **front** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/float-vs-front)
- **floor** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/float-vs-floor)
- **flood** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/float-vs-flood)
- **flows** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/float-vs-flows)
- **flour** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/float-vs-flour)
- **frost** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/float-vs-frost)
- **flown** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/float-vs-flown)
- **Floyd** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/float-vs-floyd)
- **flora** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/float-vs-flora)
- **flock** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/float-vs-flock)

## Common misspellings (7)
`ffloat`, `flaot`, `flloat`, `floatt`, `flota`, `folat`, `lfoat`

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/float