afloat

UK /əˈfləʊt/ · US /əˈfloʊt/ adverb, adjective, preposition

1. adverb In or into a state of floating.
2. adverb In, or while in, a vessel at sea or on another body of water; at sea.
3. adverb Under water (bearing floating objects).
4. adverb (figurative, of ideas, information, etc.) In or into circulation or currency.
5. adverb (obsolete, figurative, of an emotional state) In or into a condition of stimulation, arousal, confusion, bewilderment, etc.
6. adjective Floating. “A rubber duck and other toys were afloat in the bath.”
7. adjective In, or found while in, a vessel at sea or on another body of water.
8. adjective Floating in the air; flowing freely; not tied, braided, etc. (of hair or clothing)
9. adjective Covered with water, bearing floating objects. “The decks are afloat.”
10. adjective (figurative) Covered, overspread, filled (with or in something).
11. adjective (of an organization) Having just enough resources to continue to operate; barely able to pay expenses; (of a private individual, family, etc.) keeping one's head above water. “The donation will keep our business afloat for quite a while.”
12. adjective (figurative, of ideas, information, etc.) Believed or talked about by many people; being passed from person to person. “The supervisor was never fired, though countless accusations of dishonesty were afloat.”
13. adjective (obsolete, figurative, of an emotional state) Stimulated, aroused, activated.
14. preposition (obsolete) Floating upon.

Sources: Wiktionary · WordNet 3.0 · Webster’s 1913 — from the Wiktionary entry “afloat”, CC BY-SA 4.0. Details