(~s, ~ing, ~ed)
Frequency: The word is one of the 3000 most common words in English.
1.
If something or someone is ~ing in a liquid, they are in the liquid, on or just below the surface, and are being supported by it. You can also ~ something on a liquid.
They noticed fifty and twenty dollar bills ~ing in the water.
...barges ~ing quietly by the grassy river banks...
They’ll spend some time ~ing boats in the creek.
VERB: V in n, V prep/adv, V n, also V n prep/adv
2.
Something that ~s lies on or just below the surface of a liquid when it is put in it and does not sink.
Empty things ~.
? sink
VERB: V
3.
A ~ is a light object that is used to help someone or something ~.
N-COUNT
4.
A ~ is a small object attached to a fishing line which ~s on the water and moves when a fish has been caught.
N-COUNT
5.
Something that ~s in or through the air hangs in it or moves slowly and gently through it.
The white cloud of smoke ~ed away.
VERB: V prep/adv
6.
If you ~ a project, plan, or idea, you suggest it for others to think about.
The French had ~ed the idea of placing the diplomatic work in the hands of the UN.
VERB: V n
7.
If a company director ~s their company, they start to sell shares in it to the public. (BUSINESS)
He ~ed his firm on the stock market...
The advisers are delaying the key decision on whether to ~ 60 per cent or 100 per cent of the shares.
VERB: V n on n, V n
8.
If a government ~s its country’s currency or allows it to ~, it allows the currency’s value to change freely in relation to other currencies. (BUSINESS)
A decision by the Finns to ~ their currency sent a shudder through the foreign exchanges...
59 per cent of people believed the pound should be allowed to ~ freely.
VERB: V n, V
9.
A ~ is a truck on which displays and people in special costumes are carried in a festival procession.
N-COUNT
see also milk ~
10.
A ~ 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