float
verb uk/fləʊt/ us/floʊt/
(NOT SINK)
B1 [ I ]漂浮
to stay on the surface of a liquid and not sink
An empty bottle will float. 空瓶子能浮起来。
You can float very easily in/on the Dead Sea because it's so salty. 因为死海含盐量很高，人可以轻松浮在水面上。
- More examples
- We lashed together anything that would float to make a raft.
- The body hit the water, floated for a few seconds, and then sank to the bottom of the river.
- In science we learned about density, and why oil floats on water.
- In the pool, several ladies were floating on their backs, like starfish, with their arms and legs stretched out.
- "My rubber duck won't float any more!" "Oh dear - it's all full of water, that's why."
(MOVE)
B1 [ I or T, usually + adv/prep ]（使）漂流;（使）浮动;（使）飘动;（使）飘移
to (cause to) move easily through, or along the surface of a liquid, or to (cause to) move easily through air
We spent a lazy afternoon floating down/along the river. 我们沿河漂流而下，懒洋洋的度过了一个下午。
He tossed the bottle into the waves and watched it float out to sea. 他把瓶子扔到浪中，看着它漂向大海。
The children enjoy floating their boats on the pond in the park. 孩子们喜欢把玩具船放在公园的池塘里玩。
Fluffy white clouds were floating across the sky. 绒毛似的白云在天空中飘过。
figurative The sound of piano-playing floated out through the open window. 从开着的窗户中飘出钢琴的声音。
[ I usually + adv/prep ] literary优雅地移动，飘然移动
to move smoothly and attractively
She sort of floats around, like a ballet dancer. 她像个芭蕾舞演员，步态轻盈。
[ I usually + adv/prep ]漂泊；游荡
to move or act without purpose
Since he lost his job, he's just floated around/about doing nothing. 自从失业后，他就四处游荡，无所事事。
- More examples
- She stopped rowing and let the boat float with the stream.
- He floated through his exams with no problems whatsoever.
- From the riverbank he watched the boats float past.
- He let go of the string and the balloon floated off into the distance.
- He floats past defenders as if they weren't there.
(SUGGEST)
[ T ]提出，提请考虑（计划或想法）
to suggest a plan or an idea to be considered
Laura has floated the idea that we should think about expanding into Europe next year. 劳拉提议，我们应该考虑明年拓展打入欧洲市场。
(CHANGE VALUE)
[ I or T ] finance & economics specialized（使）（货币）实现汇率自由浮动
to allow the value of a country's money to change according to the value of other countries' money
Argentina decided to let its currency float freely against the dollar. 阿根廷政府决定让其货币汇率对美元自由浮动。
(BUSINESS)
[ T ]（公司或企业）首次发行（股票）上市
to start selling shares in a business or company for the first time
Idioms
be floating on airidiom mainly UK 非常高兴，飘飘然
to be very happy
When he got his exam results he was floating on air. 他得知考试成绩后便飘飘然了。
float someone's boatidiom informal 是…喜欢（或感兴趣）的东西
to be what someone likes or is interested in
Motor racing doesn't really float my boat. 我并不真的喜欢飙摩托车。
float someone a loanidiom US informal 同意…向自己借钱
to allow someone to borrow money from you
Phrasal verb
float around 就在附近
You say that an object is floating around when you think it is not far away but you cannot see exactly where.
I can't find my purse, but it must be floating around here somewhere. 我找不到我的钱包了，但是它肯定就在这儿什么地方。
（想法或故事）流传，传播
If an idea or story floats around, it is discussed or repeated by a lot of people.
rumours floating around 四处流传的谣言
float
noun uk/fləʊt/ us/floʊt/
(MONEY)
[ S ] UK（酒吧等用于给顾客找零的）备用零钱
a small amount of money kept by someone who works in a bar, etc., used for giving customers their change
(VEHICLE)
[ C ]彩车，花车
a large vehicle with a flat surface that is decorated and used in festivals
carnival floats 狂欢节彩车
(NOT SINK)
[ C ]浮板；漂浮物；浮子
a piece of wood or other light material that stays on the surface of water
Fishing nets are often held in position by floats. 渔网常常用浮子固定。
(DRINK)
[ C ]加冰激凌的饮料
a drink with ice cream on the top
I'll have a root beer float, please. 请给我来一杯加冰激凌的根汁汽水。