floating

/ˈfləʊtɪŋ/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈfləʊtɪŋ/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈflō-tiŋ/ (ame, mw)

floating — adjective

  • floatingpositive
  • more floatingcomparative
  • most floatingsuperlative

1. resting on liquid or hanging free instead of staying attached to one spot.

1.形容詞B2
釋義

resting on liquid or hanging free instead of staying attached to one spot.

例句

Sade photographed a floating lantern beside the bridge after sunset.

floating + lantern on water

A floating breakfast tray bumped softly against Gabriela's hotel pool steps.

floating + tray in a pool

同義詞
  • drifting

    stresses movement with water or wind more than simple position

  • buoyant

    stresses the ability to stay up on water

  • unmoored

    usually used when something has come loose from a rope or anchor

反義詞
  • anchored

    held in place instead of moving freely on water

  • fixed

    attached firmly in one position

文法句型

floating + lantern/platform/branch/tray

be floating on + water

用法筆記

Usually describes something resting on water or left unsupported rather than fixed in place. It is especially common before nouns such as lantern, platform, branch, and tray.

常見錯誤

❌The lantern was floating on the wall.
✅The lantern was hanging on the wall.
💡'floating' suggests it is unsupported, often on water, not fixed to a wall.

2. describing a body part that has slipped out of place or is no longer firmly atta

2.形容詞C1
釋義

describing a body part that has slipped out of place or is no longer firmly attached where it should be.

例句

The dentist said Jude's floating tooth should come out this week.

floating + tooth in medical use

The surgeon explained that Quan's floating kneecap would need a brace.

floating + kneecap after injury

同義詞
  • loose

    general everyday word for something no longer held firmly

  • displaced

    stresses movement away from the normal position

  • detached

    stresses separation from what should hold it in place

反義詞
  • attached

    connected normally instead of hanging loose

  • stable

    remaining firmly in the correct position

文法句型

floating + tooth/kneecap/kidney

floating + tissue or body part

用法筆記

Mostly appears in medical contexts before a body-part noun. It suggests the part has come loose, shifted, or lost its usual point of attachment.