Standard Lemma guide

refloat

noun · verb · 4 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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  • rhymes with -əʊt

1

noun

Meaning 1

The process of getting something to float again.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Examples

  • A small crowd on the docks watched the attempted refloat of the ship.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

verb

Meaning 2

To cause to float again.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: transitive

Examples

  • Removing fuel from the sunken ship will make it easier to refloat it.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

3

verb

Meaning 3

To float again.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: intransitive

Examples

  • 2025, Chloe Hughes, Boat stranded on canal hole edge pulled to safety (BBC News) https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c79x0vqvnq4o Overnight, water was pumped into dammed sections created by the Canal and River Trust on Tuesday, and as of 06:00 on Wednesday, water levels were recovering. "This means that one of the boats near to the breach site, plus six further up the canal, are now beginning to refloat," it [the council] said.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

4

verb

Meaning 4

set afloat again

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • refloat a grounded boat

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: float

History

Etymology

Etymology tree Proto-Italic *wre- Latin re-der. Old French re-bor. Middle English re- English re- English float English refloat From re- + float.