afloat

afloat — adjective

1. remaining on the surface of a liquid rather than sinking under it

1.形容詞B1
釋義

remaining on the surface of a liquid rather than sinking under it

例句

The children cheered when their paper boat stayed afloat all the way across the pond.

collocation: stay afloat with physical object

After the net broke, the fishermen held onto a plastic drum to keep afloat.

collocation: keep + object + afloat

同義詞
  • buoyant

    focuses on the ability to float rather than the state of floating; also used for cheerful personality

  • floating

    can be used before nouns ('floating log') but carries the same general meaning

反義詞
  • sunken

    describes something that has gone to the bottom of a body of water

  • submerged

    refers to being entirely under the surface rather than on top of it

文法句型

stay afloat

keep afloat

remain afloat

用法筆記

Always occurs after a linking verb or verb phrase (most commonly 'stay', 'keep', or 'remain'). Does not appear before nouns — you cannot say 'an afloat boat'.

常見錯誤

❌The swimmer tried to afloat by moving his arms.
✅The swimmer tried to stay afloat by moving his arms.
💡'afloat' is an adjective, not a verb; it needs a verb like 'stay' or 'keep' before it.

2. having just enough money or other resources to continue operating without going

2.形容詞B2
釋義

having just enough money or other resources to continue operating without going into debt or being forced to close

例句

Small bakeries in the area struggled to stay afloat after the main road was rerouted.

collocation: struggle to stay afloat

Dr. Okonkwo took on extra evening shifts to keep his small clinic afloat.

collocation: keep + object + afloat

同義詞
  • solvent

    more formal and technical; specifically means able to pay all debts when they are due

  • viable

    broader meaning of being able to succeed or survive, not limited to finances

反義詞
  • bankrupt

    legally declared unable to pay debts; a specific legal status

  • insolvent

    more formal term for being unable to meet financial obligations

文法句型

keep [something/someone] afloat

stay afloat

remain afloat

用法筆記

Often used for businesses, organisations, or individuals facing financial difficulty. The collocation 'keep [name/pronoun] afloat' requires the object between the verb and the adjective.

常見錯誤

❌The company is afloat thanks to the new investor.
✅The company is staying afloat thanks to the new investor.
💡'afloat' in the financial sense sounds unnatural with just 'be'; use 'stay', 'keep', or 'remain'.
❌We need to afloat the business with this loan.
✅We need to keep the business afloat with this loan.
💡'afloat' is not a verb; use 'keep' + object + 'afloat'.