Etymology Explorer › English

Where does “float” come from?

Float comes from Middle English floten, from Old English flotian, from Proto-Germanic flutōną, ultimately from Proto-Indo-European plew-.

float (English): Of an object or substance, to be supported by a...

Definitions

  1. Of an object or substance, to be supported by a...

Ancestry of “float”, step by step

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1Middle EnglishfloteAlternative form of floute; Something that...
2Old Frenchflotefleet
3Old Norseflotifleet
4Proto-GermanicflutôA float; flotation device; A raft; boat; ship
5Proto-Indo-Europeanplewd-to fly, flow, run
6Proto-Indo-Europeanplew-to fly, flow, run

Words derived from “float”

  • floating
  • afloat
  • flotation
  • floater
  • floatation
  • floaty
  • floatplane
  • floatable
  • refloat
  • floatstone
  • floateth
  • floatability
  • floatingly
  • floatest
  • floatie
  • nonfloating
  • floatiness
  • electroflotation
  • floatless
  • flotational
  • nonfloatable
  • overfloat
  • reflotation
  • floatsome
Every word from Proto-Indo-European plew- →