Old English aflote, on flot, from a- "on" (see a- (1)) + flot "body of water" (see float (n.)).

adrift(p): aimlessly drifting afloat(p): borne on the water; floating afloat(p): covered with water; "the main deck was afloat (or awash)"; "the monsoon left the [..]

floating on the water

(adj) aimlessly drifting(adj) borne on the water; floating(adj) covered with water

Floating, as opposed to being aground.

Buoyed up by the water from the ground. Afore

Refers to a shipment of cargo which, is currently on board a vessel between ports.

Floating.

When a vessel is floating clear of the ground, can also refer to mean at sea, or when speaking of life at sea.

Of a vessel which is floating freely (not aground or sunk). More generally of vessels in service ("the company has 10 ships afloat").

The condition of a vessel which is floating freely (not aground or sunk). This is a term more generally used to describe vessels in service e.g. 'the company has 10 ships afloat'.

Floating, as in: Our life jackets will keep us afloat. aft and after. Direction; as in: Go aft to the stern of the boat. aground. (not to be confused with grounding at anchor). Stuck on the bottom; as [..]

Floating.

Of a vessel which is floating freely (not aground or sunk). More generally of vessels in service ("the convoy has 10 ships afloat").

Of a vessel which is floating freely (not aground or sunk). More generally of vessels in service ("the company has 10 ships afloat").

floating on the surface of the water; not aground

The state of being waterborne after being aground. To be on board ship.

Floating on the water; water-borne. See also SURFACED, UNCOVERED, AGROUND, ASHORE.

Floating. Not stuck on a rock or sandbar.

floating on water