v.
     - rest or cause to rest on the surface of a liquid without sinking. ▸be suspended freely in a liquid or gas. 
- move slowly or hover in a liquid or the air. ▸move in a casual or leisurely way. ▸(in sport) make (the ball) travel lightly and effortlessly through the air. 
- put forward (an idea) as a suggestion or test of reactions.
- offer the shares of (a company) for sale on the stock market for the first time.
- (of a currency) fluctuate freely in value.
n.
     - any hollow or lightweight object or device used to achieve buoyancy in water. ▸a small floating object attached to a fishing line to signal the bite of a fish. ▸a floating device which forms part of a valve apparatus controlling a flow of water. 
- Brit. a small vehicle or cart powered by electricity. ▸a platform mounted on a truck and carrying a display in a procession. 
- Brit. a sum of money used for change at the beginning of a period of selling in a shop, stall, etc.
- chiefly N. Amer. a soft drink with a scoop of ice cream floating in it.
- a hand tool with a rectangular blade used for smoothing plaster.
Phrase
  
    
      - float someone's boat
 informal appeal to or excite someone.
 
  Derivative
  
  Etymology
  OE flotian, of Gmc origin and rel. to fleet5.