1. to rest or move on the surface of a liquid without sinking
漂浮；浮在液體表面不下沉
The leaf floated on the water.
樹葉漂浮在水面上。
She can float on her back in the pool.
她可以在泳池裡仰面漂浮。
Float Meaning（定義、用法、例句與發音）
float
verb
快速理解
What does "Float" mean?What are 2-3 core uses of "Float"?
「float」主要指物體在液體或氣體中漂浮，也指貨幣匯率浮動或公司上市等概念。
- 1
漂浮
EN: to rest or move on the surface of a liquid or in the air
翻譯: 在液體表面或空氣中停留或移動
- 2
浮動（貨幣/利率）
EN: to allow the value of a currency or interest rate to change freely according to the market
翻譯: 讓貨幣匯率或利率根據市場自由變動
- 3
提出（想法/建議）
EN: to suggest an idea or plan for others to consider
翻譯: 提出想法或計畫供他人考慮
- 4
發行（股票/債券）
EN: to sell shares in a company or business to the public for the first time
翻譯: 首次向公眾出售公司或企業的股份
小提醒：注意「float」在金融領域的用法（如匯率浮動、公司上市）與物理漂浮的區別，兩者概念相關但語境不同。
發音（How to Pronounce "Float" in English）
How to pronounce "Float" in English?"Float" US vs UK pronunciation
點擊下方的 US / UK 按鈕可播放發音。
Real-life Examples of "Float" from YouTube Videos
The case for anonymity online | Christopher "moot" Poole
TED
“That's all it was, And it got big enough to the point where there was a float last year at the Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade and Rick Astley pops out and rickrolls millions of people on television (Laughter).”
(1 out of 15)
Definitions（定義）
What are the definitions of "Float"?How does "Float" change by context?
2. to move slowly and lightly through the air or in a liquid
飄浮；在空中或液體中緩慢輕盈地移動
The balloon floated up into the sky.
氣球飄浮升上了天空。
A pleasant smell floated from the kitchen.
一股宜人的香味從廚房飄了過來。
3. to suggest an idea or plan for consideration
提出（想法、計畫等）供考慮
He floated the idea of a company picnic.
他提出了舉辦公司野餐的想法。
Several proposals were floated during the meeting.
會議期間提出了好幾項提案。
4. to allow a country's currency to have a value that changes according to the value of other currencies
（使貨幣）浮動匯率
The government decided to float the currency.
政府決定讓貨幣匯率浮動。
5. to walk or move in a very smooth and relaxed way
輕盈地走動；飄然移動
She floated across the dance floor.
她輕盈地飄過舞池。
He seemed to float down the stairs.
他彷彿飄然走下樓梯。
Grammar & Patterns（句型）
What are common sentence patterns for "Float"?How to make natural sentences with "Float"?
| Pattern | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| float + preposition (on, in, through, etc.) | 在（液體或氣體中）漂浮、浮動 | The leaves float on the surface of the pond. (樹葉漂浮在池塘的水面上。) |
| float + adverb (gently, away, down, etc.) | 以某種方式漂浮 | The balloon floated gently up into the sky. (氣球輕輕地飄上了天空。) |
| float + noun (idea, suggestion, plan, etc.) | 提出（想法、建議等）供考慮 | He floated the idea of a company retreat. (他提出了公司舉辦一次員工旅遊的想法。) |
| float + around/about | （想法、傳言等）流傳、傳播 | Rumors have been floating around the office. (謠言一直在辦公室裡流傳。) |
| float + into/through + place | 飄進、飄過（某處） | The smell of fresh bread floated through the house. (新鮮麵包的香味飄散在房子裡。) |
| float + to the top/surface | 浮到頂部／表面 | The oil will float to the surface of the water. (油會浮到水面上。) |
| float + in the air | 飄浮在空中 | Dust particles float in the air. (塵埃顆粒飄浮在空中。) |
用法說明
How is "Float" different from similar structures?What usage mistakes are common with "Float"?
float doing vs float to do
- float doing 通常描述一個正在進行的、持續的漂浮狀態或動作，強調過程或畫面。
- float to do 則常用來表示漂浮的目的或結果，或描述一個即將發生的漂浮動作。
- 在感官動詞（如 see, watch, hear）後，通常使用 float doing 來描述觀察到的片段。
- 在表示意圖、計畫或未來可能性的動詞（如 plan, hope, seem）後，則傾向使用 float to do。 EN: We watched the leaves float gently down the stream. 翻譯: 我們看著樹葉輕輕地順流而下。
EN:The balloon seemed to float up to the ceiling.
翻譯:氣球似乎要飄到天花板上去了。
總結建議
一般來說，描述持續的漂浮畫面用 float doing，表達漂浮的目的或可能性則用 float to do。
易混淆對比
What is the difference between "Float" and similar words?How to choose "Float" vs alternatives?
float vs drift
「float」強調物體因密度小於液體或氣體而自然懸浮；「drift」則強調受外力（如風、水流）影響而緩慢移動。
float vs hover
「float」通常指在液體中或空氣中懸浮；「hover」常指在空中（尤其是藉助機械或力量）保持固定位置的懸停。
float vs sink
「float」與「sink」是反義詞，分別表示物體在液體中「浮起」與「下沉」。
口語用法
How is "Float" used in spoken English?What is the spoken vs formal difference for "Float"?
引述
在轉述他人想法或建議時，用 "float" 聽起來比較隨意、不強迫。 EN: He floated the idea of working from a cafe for a change. 翻譯: 他隨口提議說，不如換個口味去咖啡館工作。
EN:I just floated the possibility; we don't have to decide now.
翻譯:我只是提一下這個可能性，我們不用現在決定。
語氣強調
與 "just" 或 "only" 連用，用來淡化提議的正式性或重要性，緩和語氣。 EN: I'm only floating a suggestion, so feel free to say no. 翻譯: 我只是隨便提個建議，你完全可以拒絕。
EN:She just floated it out there to see our reaction.
翻譯:她只是拋出來試試看我們的反應。
停頓填充
在思考下一句話時，有時會用 "let me float this..." 作為填充詞，爭取一點思考時間。 EN: So, for the team outing... let me float this: what about a hiking trip? 翻譯: 那麼，關於團隊出遊...讓我想想啊：去爬山怎麼樣？
EN:The budget is tight. Let me float something... maybe we can split the cost.
翻譯:預算有點緊。讓我想一下...或許我們可以分攤費用。
正式寫作注意：在正式報告或學術寫作中，應避免使用 "float" 這種口語化的表達來表示「提出」。建議改用 "propose", "suggest", "raise", 或 "put forward" 等更正式的動詞。
常見短語
What common collocations use "Float"?What fixed phrases with "Float" should I remember?
float an idea
float an/the idea (of something)
提出一個想法（以試探反應）
float on air
float on air
飄飄然，欣喜若狂
float a loan
float a loan
籌措貸款
float around
float around (somewhere)
（物）在某處閒置；（想法、傳言）流傳
float one's boat
float someone's boat
讓某人感興趣或興奮（常用於否定或疑問句）
float stock/shares
float stock/shares (on the market)
發行股票（上市）
one's mind floats
someone's mind floats (back to something)
（思緒）飄回，回想起
常見錯誤
What are common mistakes with "Float"?Which "Float" sentences look correct but are wrong?
×The balloon is floating on the sky.
✓The balloon is floating in the sky.
使用 'in the sky' 表示在天空中，'on' 通常用於接觸表面。
×I will float the boat on the water.
✓I will set the boat afloat on the water. / I will put the boat in the water.
'Float' 作為及物動詞時，主語通常是讓物體漂浮的媒介（如水、空氣），或指發行債券、貨幣等。讓船開始漂浮的動作通常不用 'float the boat'。
×The idea floated in my mind.
✓The idea floated into my mind. / An idea came to my mind.
表達「想法浮現」時，常用 'float into one's mind' 或更自然的 'come to mind'。單用 'float in my mind' 不自然。
×Wood can float on water because it is lighter.
✓Wood floats in water because it is less dense.
描述物體的固有特性或能力時，使用現在簡單式 'floats'，而非 'can float'。'in water' 比 'on water' 更常用於描述浮力特性。
×He floated the company last year.
✓He floated the company on the stock market last year.
'Float a company' 是金融術語，意為「讓公司上市」。在非正式或一般情境中使用時，必須提供足夠的上下文（如 'on the stock market'），否則會造成誤解。
×The feather is floating to the ground slowly.
✓The feather is floating down to the ground slowly.
描述向某個方向漂浮時，常與方向副詞連用，如 'float down', 'float away', 'float past'。單用 'to' 較不自然。
詞形變化
What are the word forms of "Float"?What are tense/participle forms of "Float"?
floats(3rd_singular)floating(present_participle)floated(past)floated(past_participle)