FLOAT


Meaning of FLOAT in English

transcription, транскрипция: [ floʊt ]

( floats, floating, floated)

Frequency: The word is one of the 3000 most common words in English.

1.

If something or someone is floating in a liquid, they are in the liquid, on or just below the surface, and are being supported by it. You can also float something on a liquid.

They noticed fifty and twenty dollar bills floating in the water.

...barges floating quietly by the grassy river banks...

They’ll spend some time floating boats in the creek.

VERB : V in n , V prep / adv , V n , also V n prep / adv

2.

Something that floats lies on or just below the surface of a liquid when it is put in it and does not sink.

Empty things float.

≠ sink

VERB : V

3.

A float is a light object that is used to help someone or something float.

N-COUNT

4.

A float is a small object attached to a fishing line which floats on the water and moves when a fish has been caught.

N-COUNT

5.

Something that floats in or through the air hangs in it or moves slowly and gently through it.

The white cloud of smoke floated away.

VERB : V prep / adv

6.

If you float a project, plan, or idea, you suggest it for others to think about.

The French had floated the idea of placing the diplomatic work in the hands of the UN.

VERB : V n

7.

If a company director floats their company, they start to sell shares in it to the public. ( BUSINESS )

He floated his firm on the stock market...

The advisers are delaying the key decision on whether to float 60 per cent or 100 per cent of the shares.

VERB : V n on n , V n

8.

If a government floats its country’s currency or allows it to float , it allows the currency’s value to change freely in relation to other currencies. ( BUSINESS )

A decision by the Finns to float their currency sent a shudder through the foreign exchanges...

59 per cent of people believed the pound should be allowed to float freely.

VERB : V n , V

9.

A float is a truck on which displays and people in special costumes are carried in a festival procession.

N-COUNT

see also milk float

10.

A float is a small amount of coins and notes of low value that someone has before they start selling things so that they are able to give customers change if necessary. ( BRIT )

N-SING

Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner's English Dictionary.      Английский словарь Коллинз COBUILD для изучающих язык на продвинутом уровне.