1 C1 formal
For a currency or financial asset to be freely traded at a certain value as determined by market forces.
"The pound currently floats at around 1.25 dollars, depending on economic conditions."
float at
C1 formal intransitive
For a currency or stock price to be freely determined by the market and currently sitting at a specific value.
In plain English
When a country's money or a company's stock price is not fixed by the government and is currently worth a certain amount.
What does "float at" mean?
One main meaning — here's how to use it.
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
To float (move freely on a surface) at a given level — the metaphor is of a price floating freely on the market.
Actually means
When a country's money or a company's stock price is not fixed by the government and is currently worth a certain amount.
Usage tip
Primarily used in economics and financial journalism. Refers to currencies or prices that are not pegged to a fixed rate but move freely with market forces.
Words that pair with "float at"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
currency exchange rate dollar stock price rate
How to conjugate "float at"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
float at
I/you/we/they
3rd person
floats at
he/she/it
Past simple
floated at
yesterday
Past participle
floated at
have + pp
-ing form
floating at
continuous
Hear "float at" in the wild
Listen to native speakers using "float at" in real YouTube videos — click a clip to watch it on Looplines.
Keep exploring
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