afloat
adjective or adverb
ə-ˈflōt 
1
a
: borne on or as if on the water
b
: being at sea
2
: free of difficulties : self-sufficient
the inheritance kept them afloat for years
3
a
: circulating about
nasty stories were afloat
b
: adrift
Synonyms
- floating
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
Recent Examples on the Web The bill is the latest effort by the federal government to help keep afloat businesses that have had to close or dramatically alter their operations as states try to slow the spread of the virus. 
Andrew Taylor, Anchorage Daily News, 24 Apr. 2020 On Friday, Trump signed a $484 billion bill to aid employers and hospitals under stress from the pandemic — the latest federal effort to help keep afloat businesses that have had to close or scale down. BostonGlobe.com, 24 Apr. 2020 The prospect of news outlets turning to the government for financial assistance to keep afloat raises obvious questions about how organizations can maintain independence and objectivity. Melissa Quinn, CBS News, 23 Apr. 2020 The American vessels included the USS Paul Hamilton, a Navy destroyer and the USS Lewis B. Puller, a ship that serves as an afloat landing base. Time, 22 Apr. 2020 A year ago, the Orioles were somewhat afloat and without a permanent solution in baseball operations or a field staff in place. Jon Meoli, baltimoresun.com, 17 Oct. 2019 Must have kept her afloat in ways that family couldn’t. Rosemary Mccarthy, BostonGlobe.com, 26 July 2019 The statement was made after it was announced that ABC and Roseanne’s cast and crew have been debating a way to keep the show’s brand afloat, including a possible spinoff with Darlene as the main character. Morgan Enos, Billboard, 4 June 2018 But a proposal is afloat to restore lake herring in Lake Michigan. Paul A. Smith, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 3 Jan. 2018 See More
Andrew Taylor, Anchorage Daily News, 24 Apr. 2020 On Friday, Trump signed a $484 billion bill to aid employers and hospitals under stress from the pandemic — the latest federal effort to help keep afloat businesses that have had to close or scale down. BostonGlobe.com, 24 Apr. 2020 The prospect of news outlets turning to the government for financial assistance to keep afloat raises obvious questions about how organizations can maintain independence and objectivity. Melissa Quinn, CBS News, 23 Apr. 2020 The American vessels included the USS Paul Hamilton, a Navy destroyer and the USS Lewis B. Puller, a ship that serves as an afloat landing base. Time, 22 Apr. 2020 A year ago, the Orioles were somewhat afloat and without a permanent solution in baseball operations or a field staff in place. Jon Meoli, baltimoresun.com, 17 Oct. 2019 Must have kept her afloat in ways that family couldn’t. Rosemary Mccarthy, BostonGlobe.com, 26 July 2019 The statement was made after it was announced that ABC and Roseanne’s cast and crew have been debating a way to keep the show’s brand afloat, including a possible spinoff with Darlene as the main character. Morgan Enos, Billboard, 4 June 2018 But a proposal is afloat to restore lake herring in Lake Michigan. Paul A. Smith, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 3 Jan. 2018 See More Word History
Etymology
Middle English aflote, going back to Old English aflote, on flote, from a- a- entry 1, on on entry 1 + flote, dative of flot "deep water, sea" — more at float entry 1
First Known Use
before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a
Kids Definition
afloat
adverb or adjective
ə-ˈflōt
: carried on or as if on water
The boat stayed afloat through the storm.
afloat 1 of 2
adjective
as in floating
riding upon the surface of a body of liquid the boat can't stay afloat much longer Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- floating
- sailing
- drifting
- hovering
- unsinkable
- gliding
- buoyant
- wafting
- hanging
- floaty
- awash
- poised
- free-floating
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- sinking
- sunk
- aground
- high and dry
afloat
2 of 2adverb
as in hereabouts
Synonyms & Similar Words
- hereabouts
- abroad
- hereabout
- everywhere
- all over
- around
- round
- everyplace
- about