to float

Examples

• All

• So why did Trump float this firing idea through his friend?

• We have to announce 14 Cabinet Secretary positions or at the very least begin to float some of your possible choices posthaste.

  Man of the Year (2006)

• "Well, I got me this problem, and you need to float me a loan," he said.

  Fiction book (1991)

• This was the new plan floated by the legislature.

• During the meeting, she decided to float a new marketing strategy for discussion next week.

• He was hesitant but eventually chose to float the idea of a day trip to his friends.

• The CEO plans to float several initiatives to improve workplace culture during the upcoming conference.

Synonyms

S

to suggest

vsto float

∞ 1.6

To offer an idea or plan for others to consider

is more tentative and often aims to circulate ideas informally

P

to propose

vsto float

∞ 3.0

To suggest a plan or idea for others to consider

is used more tentatively, circulating ideas rather than formally seeking agreement

P

to put forward

vsto float

65 3.2

To suggest an idea or plan for others to consider

is less direct and usually offers ideas tentatively to test reaction

P

to propound

vsto float

• Formal

4 7.9

To offer an idea or theory for others to think about

is generally more casual and aims to see initial reactions

M

to motion

vsto float

• Formal

2 6.3

To suggest an action in a meeting for people to vote on

is less formal and usually explores ideas before formal actions

Antonyms

W

to withdraw

103 3.7

To take back something you said before, especially in public

Idioms

F

to float like a butterfly

• Informal

1 6.8

To move with light, graceful steps like a butterfly

Phrasal Verbs

F

to float away

15 3.2

Move slowly through the air or water until out of sight

Compounds

R

root beer float

• US

4 2.9

A cold drink of root beer with a scoop of ice cream

I

ice-cream float

1 2.0

A cold drink with ice cream floating in soda

M

milk float

• Archaic

1 3.5

A small vehicle with an open side that delivers milk to homes

C

Carling float

• Specialized

9.9

An emergency raft on a ship for people to use if they must leave at sea

D

dead-man's float

7.0

A position for floating face down in the water with arms stretched forward to rest and breathe

F

float-type rain gage

• Specialized

7.9

A device with a float that rests on collected rain to measure how much falls

F

float-type rain gauge

• Specialized

7.3

A tool that measures rain using a float on the top of the collected water

P

prone float

6.7

A way to float by lying face down in the water with arms stretched forward to glide

P

plasterer's float

• Specialized

8.1

A flat hand tool with a handle used to smooth wet wall material like plaster or cement

How Firm

to announce

∞ 1.5

to propose

∞ 3.0

to suggest

∞ 1.6

to float

134 5.3

to hint

136 2.0

Surface Forms

Etymology