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Glite Dictionary
🧭 Drifting aimlessly 🛶 Floating on water 🌊 Flooded with water
afloat

afloat

1 3.4
Covered with water after heavy rain or a flood
  • adjective
  • /əˈfloʊt/
translation icon : inundado
  • The old dock was barely afloat after the storm, with water rising around it.

Examples

  • And so essentially the hollow hull that, like, keeps it afloat was filling with water.

  • When this needle zeroes, I'll know the ship is afloat.

    Mysterious Island (1961)

  • The general idea is that straw is a flimsy material that isn't going to keep anyone afloat and it really isn't going to help anyone.

  • Before the bailout of General Motors, it was well understood that the world's largest automaker was losing huge amounts of money in the US and was staying afloat thanks to stronger performance in overseas markets.

    Blog text (13)

  • THE TANNERY KEPT THIS TOWN AFLOAT.

    Crocodile (2000)

  • The boat remained afloat despite the rough waves and strong winds.

  • After the rain, many leaves were afloat on the surface of the puddle.

Synonyms

underwater
vsafloat
161 1.0

Below the surface of water where plants and animals live

means being covered by water often at the surface rather than below
awash
vsafloat
2 4.6

Covered with water or flooded

is a general word for being covered by water
flooded
vsafloat
1.5

Covered with water after heavy rain or when a river overflows

is a neutral word for being covered by water without stating cause
inundated
vsafloat
6.1

A place covered with water after heavy rain or a flood

is about being covered without stressing extent or area
aswim
vsafloat
  • Archaic
8.8

Full of water or other liquid

is used for being covered by water, not only for seeming to swim
submerged
vsafloat
4.2

Completely under the surface of water

describes being covered by water, possibly with parts still above water
submersed
vsafloat
7.0

A plant or thing that is completely under water

covers being level with water or fully beneath the surface rather than only one case

Antonyms

dry
791 1.0

Not wet or without any liquid

sinking
17 2.8

A boat or object that goes below the water's surface

How Flooded

submerged
4.2
flooded
1.5
afloat
1 3.4
wet
1 1.0
damp
11 1.0
dry
791 1.0

Surface Forms

afloat positive

Morphology

afloat = float (semi-transparent) = a + float

The prefix 'a-' is an archaic form meaning 'on' or 'in', not commonly productive in modern English.

Etymology

Afloat comes from the old a- meaning 'on' plus float meaning 'to float', so long ago it meant 'on the water'. So we say a place is afloat when it is covered or full of water.