floats 1 of 2

present tense third-person singular of float
1
as in hovers
to rest or move along the surface of a liquid or in the air a canoe floating down the river particles of dust floating in the air

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2

floats

2 of 2

noun

plural of float
as in docks
a structure used by boats and ships for taking on or landing cargo and passengers the crew put the cargo on the float before heading back down the river

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of floats
Verb
The soft, breathable cotton blend fabric floats away from the body and can be worn both over a shirt and under a jacket. Sophie Dodd, Travel + Leisure, 26 Oct. 2025 Whereas therapy looks backward to heal, and self-help often floats in abstraction, Space of mind looks forward, quantifying how identity, beliefs, and emotions evolve over time. Lyssanoel Frater, USA Today, 21 Oct. 2025 To top it off, literally, the cantilevered primary suite floats above the bay like a luxury yacht, offering owners a dressing room, breakfast bar, and a green onyx bath. Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 21 Oct. 2025 But Nobody’s Girl floats free, self-assured and self-contained—a true American tragedy. Julia Hass, Literary Hub, 21 Oct. 2025 As dust floats through the air, static electricity can attract particles of dirt, pollen, pet dander, and dust that accumulate on the fan blades over time. Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 20 Oct. 2025 Shannon demands in a black-and-white flashback clip that floats next to her head in the restaurant. Peter Larsen, Oc Register, 17 Oct. 2025 When Taylor Swift floats down the aisle like a pageant queen, Vera Wang thinks the pop star will be wearing just one of several dresses the singer will sport during her wedding to Travis Kelce. Hannah Dailey, Billboard, 16 Oct. 2025 Cloudstate floats with airy softness, moving like mist, while Summercore blends presence and lightness for endless summer days. Sj Studio, Sourcing Journal, 10 Oct. 2025
Noun
Here's who the celebrity guests are, tributes and of course, new floats. Leah Olajide, Freep.com, 23 Oct. 2025 When the temperature reaches 350°F (or when a bit of batter dropped into the oil floats and sizzles), working in batches, drop heaped tablespoonfuls of batter into the oil. Romy Gill, Saveur, 22 Oct. 2025 Vintage photos decorate the walls and the extensive menu covers breakfast, lunch and dinner classics, from eggs Benedict and patty melts to floats and ice cream sundaes. Charlotte Observer, 21 Oct. 2025 The floats are built to withstand typhoon-level winds and nearshore conditions for up to 30 years. Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 15 Oct. 2025 There are no roads into the park, so visitors must fly in a small aircraft often equipped with floats or tundra tires. Madison Dapcevich, Outside, 7 Oct. 2025 Keter Solana Storage Bench At first glance, this may look like a wooden bench, but underneath the seat is 71 gallons of space for furniture cushions, pool floats, tools, and more. Rylee Johnston, PEOPLE, 7 Oct. 2025 Krewes being the social organizations whose members build floats and create costumes and host the parades, parties and galas that make up Mardi Gras, but also holidays like Christmas, Easter and Halloween. Jenny Adams, CNN Money, 5 Oct. 2025 There will be floats and marching bands, equestrians and community groups. Heather McRea, Oc Register, 29 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for floats
Verb
  • Europe’s central bank is expected to hold rates steady in October as inflation hovers around its 2% target.
    Tasmin Lockwood, CNBC, 24 Oct. 2025
  • Though hiring has slowed, the nation's unemployment rate still hovers at a historically low level.
    Max Zahn, ABC News, 24 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • When Rashid wanders into the office, Vahid stops his call — there’s something about this man’s shuffle that strikes him as familiar.
    David Fear, Rolling Stone, 16 Oct. 2025
  • In the wake of a messy divorce, a writer wanders the world in search of meaning and passion in this loose adaptation of Elizabeth Gilbert’s popular memoir.
    Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 10 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Sanchez allegedly approached a 69-year-old truck driver who backed into a hotel’s loading docks in downtown Indianapolis.
    Lexi Carson, HollywoodReporter, 26 Oct. 2025
  • Tours leave from the the downtown Munising docks and showcase stunning views of the sandstone cliffs of Pictured Rocks.
    Jenna Prestininzi, Freep.com, 23 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Royal Caribbean sails itineraries to 270-plus destinations in 60-plus countries on six continents.
    Jessica Peralta, Oc Register, 19 Sep. 2025
  • Researchers know about the wrecks because reporting any commercial ship that sails on the lakes is required; from the early 19th century to the 20th century, about 40,000 ships sailed the Great Lakes, Baillod said.
    Taylor Nicioli, CNN Money, 17 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • In his segment, Frankenstein’s monster (Bruno Corazzari) roams a room of red Rothko-esque paintings and is overwhelmed by music.
    Rory Doherty, Vulture, 20 Oct. 2025
  • Perhaps a dog barks too much, a cat roams through the yard, or pets are relieving themselves in unwanted areas.
    Liz O'Connell, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Lo then jumps overboard to escape the assault and swims through the freezing waters to shore.
    Megan McCluskey, Time, 10 Oct. 2025
  • The only drama so far is Nicolle swims up to Mel, hangs off his neck, and starts making out with him.
    Ali Barthwell, Vulture, 25 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Between songs, the film drifts into dreamlike Parisian vignettes Aguilera contemplates love, motherhood, reinvention, and her career’s artistry.
    Anthony D'Alessandro, Deadline, 15 Oct. 2025
  • Occasionally, though — in Red Alert especially — the camera drifts over to a shot of Gaza, shining high-rises looming in the distance.
    Kathryn VanArendonk, Vulture, 14 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • The infrastructure humans build in the water ‒ houses, piers, wharves, jetties, and even oil rigs ‒ create new habitats for juvenile jellyfish, called polyps, to attach and grow, Bologna said.
    N'dea Yancey-Bragg, USA Today, 24 Aug. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Floats.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/floats. Accessed 30 Oct. 2025.

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