1. adverb [usually ADVERB after verb, oft v-link ADV, noun ADVERB]
If someone or something is afloat, they remain partly above the surface of water and do not sink.
They talked modestly of their valiant efforts to keep the tanker afloat.
Three hours is a long time to try to stay afloat in these conditions.
2. adverb [usually ADVERB after verb, oft v-link ADV, noun ADVERB]
If a person, business, or country stays afloat or is kept afloat, they have just enough money to pay their debts and continue operating.
[business]
A number of efforts were being made to keep the company afloat.
They are borrowing just to stay afloat, not for investment.
More Synonyms of afloat
afloat in British English
(əˈfləʊt)
adjective, adverb(postpositive)
1.
floating
2.
aboard ship; at sea
3.
covered with water; flooded
4.
aimlessly drifting
afloat in a sea of indecision
5.
in circulation; afoot
nasty rumours were afloat
6.
free of debt; solvent
afloat in American English
(əˈfloʊt)
adjective, adverb
1.
floating freely; not grounded; esp., floating on the surface; not sinking
2.
on board ship; at sea
3.
flooded
the lower deck is afloat
4.
drifting about
5.
in circulation; current
rumors are afloat
6.
free of trouble, debt, etc., esp. with effort
he kept the business afloat
afloat in Finance
(əfloʊt)
adverb
(Finance: General)
If a person, a business, or a country stays afloat, they have just enough money to pay their debts and continue operating.
COLLOCATIONS: stay ~keep ~remain ~
A number of efforts were being made to keep the company afloat.
Depending on the economy, the company may be under tremendous pressure to stay afloat, or it may have great opportunities for growth.
If a person, a business, or a country stays afloat, they have just enough money to pay their debts and continue operating.
Examples of 'afloat' in a sentence
afloat
Why continue to pay the subsidy that keeps them afloat?
Times, Sunday Times (2017)
We are swimming in it and trying to stay afloat.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
She was a former dancer who took two jobs to keep the family afloat.
The Sun (2016)
Her mother took three jobs to keep them afloat.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Yet what if he manages to stay afloat for four years and keep at least a couple of promises?
Times, Sunday Times (2017)
Others are struggling to stay afloat.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
At the time, it was the largest cruise ship afloat.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Only English handouts are keeping the economy afloat.
The Sun (2016)
And give the lot to the loyal staff who, to the bitter end, tried to keep the failed business afloat.
The Sun (2016)
Suppliers to the world's oil industry are switching to alternatives including cruise ships as they struggle to stay afloat amid the longest downturn since the 1980s.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
They are also involved in firefighting to keep their businesses afloat.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
He is under pressure from the international creditors keeping the country afloat.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
How do they justify this outrage to the taxpayers who are keeping the company afloat?
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
The online retailer has run into problems borrowing more money to stay afloat.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
Oasis is the largest ship afloat with a new approach to ship design.
The Sun (2009)
The language used by those struggling to keep businesses afloat is more colourful.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
His courtesy and his gentle good humour made him easy company afloat and ashore.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
Of course they have to make money to stay afloat.
The Sun (2014)
Tens of millions of pounds of their own money have kept the business afloat.
The Sun (2015)
He managed to stay afloat for the next ten hours.
Christianity Today (2000)
Panorama follows some of them as they look for new jobs and fight to keep their families afloat.
The Sun (2009)
But just how do you keep your company afloat during the tough months and years that may lie ahead?
The Sun (2008)
So what keeps the ship afloat?
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
The Government has told banks to continue lending to businesses to keep the economy afloat.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
The president was forced to borrow from France to keep the country afloat.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
It seems so, as the ratings have remained healthily afloat week after week.
The Sun (2013)
Two-thirds of parents said they were struggling to keep themselves afloat, the survey found.
The Sun (2012)
As she fights to remain afloat, familiar ingredients of the spy thriller bob into view.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
This led to the collapse of Greece and hundreds of billions in loans to keep the country afloat.
The Sun (2015)
With the ships at last afloat, all was hustle and bustle as they were prepared for sea.
Glyn Williams VOYAGES OF DELUSION: The Search for the North West Passage in the Age of Reason (2002)
We need to make sure students have the skills to keep afloat and make the right choices - but their own choices.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
It has sent thousands of doctors and military advisers, and in return receives huge amounts of subsidised oil to keep its crumbling economy afloat.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
Through their last days afloat, the crew continued to exercise energetically, especially in damage control.
Max Hastings Nemesis: The Battle for Japan, 194445 (2007)
In addition, those who do manage to stay afloat work longer hours and earn less money than they would have had they stayed in employment.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
In other languages
afloat
British English: afloat ADVERB
If someone or something is afloat, they are floating.