floor
floor — verb
1. to strike a person with enough force during a fight, sport, or struggle that the
to strike a person with enough force during a fight, sport, or struggle that they fall to the ground
The boxer floored his opponent with a powerful right hook in the third round.
collocation: floor with a punch / hook
A single punch from the taller fighter floored Caio immediately.
Indra accidentally floored another player during the rough basketball game.
accidental context with 'accidentally'
The security guard floored the intruder with a swift tackle near the entrance.
Sana was floored by a stray elbow during the crowded concert and scraped her knee.
passive: be floored by [object/body part]
- floor with a punch
- floor with a tackle
- floor an opponent
- floor someone
- knock down
more general; can apply to objects or people
- deck
slang; stronger, more dramatic than 'floor'
- tackle
specific to sports: using arms/body to bring someone down
Grammar Patterns
floor + person
Usage Note
The object is always a person or living creature, never an object. Typically describes a single, forceful impact rather than a series of blows.
Common Mistakes
2. to shock or astonish someone so deeply that they cannot think clearly or respond
to shock or astonish someone so deeply that they cannot think clearly or respond, usually because the news or event is completely unexpected
The unexpected news completely floored Nora, leaving her speechless for several minutes.
passive-like structure: 'something floors someone'
Christopher was floored by a surprise question during his job interview.
passive: be floored by [question/remark]
The scale of the damage from the earthquake floored the rescue team when they arrived.
Ryan's confession about the missing money absolutely floored his business partner.
The view from the mountain peak floored Tendai, who had never seen anything so beautiful.
positive context: floored by beauty / amazement
- be floored by
- completely floor someone
- absolutely floor someone
- dumbfound
more formal; suggests speechless amazement
- stun
overlapping meaning; can also imply physical shock
- flabbergast
informal and stronger; suggests comedic surprise
Grammar Patterns
be floored by [something]
floor + person
Usage Note
Commonly used in the passive voice ('be floored by'). The subject causing the shock can be news, a question, a situation, or even a positive experience such as a beautiful view. More intense than 'surprise' but less formal than 'astonish'.
Common Mistakes
floor — noun
1. the flat area of a room or building that people stand and move around on
the flat area of a room or building that people stand and move around on
Dewi sat on the floor and played with her toy car.
collocation: sit on the floor
Please take off your shoes so you do not dirty the floor.
collocation: dirty the floor
The kitchen floor was covered in small drops of water.
typical modifier: kitchen floor
A wet floor can be very dangerous if you are not careful.
- wooden floor
- tile floor
- concrete floor
- floor tile
- floor board
- floor mat
- sweep the floor
- mop the floor
- scrub the floor
- lie on the floor
- sit on the floor
- drop on the floor
- fall to the floor
- ceiling
the top interior surface of a room
Usage Note
Usually preceded by 'the' or a modifier describing location (kitchen floor, bathroom floor).
Common Mistakes
2. a level or story of a building, containing rooms on the same height from the gro
a level or story of a building, containing rooms on the same height from the ground
Her office is on the fifth floor of the tower.
preposition: on + [ordinal] floor
The shop has three floors of clothes and shoes.
Mira took the stairs down to the ground floor.
collocation: ground floor
A fire started on the top floor of the hotel last night.
collocation: top floor
- ground floor
- top floor
- first floor
- upper floor
- lower floor
- floor plan
- floor number
- on the [number] floor
- live on a floor
- work on a floor
Usage Note
In British English, 'ground floor' is the level at street height, and 'first floor' is one level above. In American English, 'first floor' is at street height.
Common Mistakes
3. a room or hall inside a building where people gather to dance, attend meetings,
a room or hall inside a building where people gather to dance, attend meetings, or take part in formal events
Couples moved across the dance floor to the sound of the music.
compound noun: dance floor
The hotel ballroom has a large floor that can hold three hundred guests for dinner.
Questions from the floor are welcome after the speaker finishes her talk.
fixed phrase: from the floor (from the audience)
Dahlia reserved the main floor of the community centre for her art exhibition.
- dance floor
- ballroom floor
- conference floor
- from the floor
- open floor
- floor space
- floor seating
- floor plan
Usage Note
The phrase 'from the floor' or 'questions from the floor' refers to comments or questions from the audience rather than from the stage or podium.
Common Mistakes
4. a specially prepared flat surface or marked area designed for indoor sports such
a specially prepared flat surface or marked area designed for indoor sports such as basketball, gymnastics, or volleyball
Kenji dribbled the ball down the basketball floor and scored.
collocation: basketball floor
The gymnast ran across the floor and launched into a backflip.
Workers polished the wooden gym floor before the tournament started.
compound noun: gym floor
A volleyball floor needs clear markings for the court lines.
- basketball floor
- gym floor
- gymnasium floor
- wooden floor
- sports floor
- polish the floor
- floor exercise
Usage Note
Often combined with the name of the sport (basketball floor, gym floor). Contrasts with 'court', which refers to the whole playing area including markings and boundaries.
5. the members of a parliament, council, or other formal assembly considered as a g
the members of a parliament, council, or other formal assembly considered as a group; also the area in a debating chamber where they sit
The senator asked the floor to vote on the new education bill.
collocation: ask the floor / address the floor
Constanza took questions from the floor after presenting her report to the committee.
fixed phrase: from the floor
The floor rose when the president entered the chamber.
A loud argument broke out on the floor of the parliament building.
preposition: on the floor of [parliament]
- floor of parliament
- floor of the House
- from the floor
- address the floor
- ask the floor
- the floor voted
- on the floor
Usage Note
Distinguish from sense 3 (EVENT SPACE): this sense is specific to formal political or parliamentary settings and refers to the members themselves, not just the physical area. The phrase 'from the floor' in this context means from the assembled members rather than from the podium.
6. in basketball, a regular basket made while the game clock is running, rather tha
in basketball, a regular basket made while the game clock is running, rather than a free throw earned when the other team breaks a rule
Folake made six field goals in the first half of the game.
collocation: make a field goal
A field goal from outside the three-point line earns the team three points.
The player attempted a difficult field goal while two defenders blocked him.
His field goal percentage improved after weeks of daily practice.
collocation: field goal percentage
- field goal
- field goal attempt
- field goal percentage
- field goal range
- make a field goal
- miss a field goal
- basket
more general term for a successful field goal in basketball
- free throw
a shot taken without opposition after a foul
Usage Note
Most common in American English basketball commentary and statistics. Often used in the compound 'field goal percentage' (FG%). Do not confuse with American football, where 'field goal' means a kick through the goalposts.
Common Mistakes
7. the formal right or opportunity to express your views during an official meeting
the formal right or opportunity to express your views during an official meeting, debate, or parliamentary session
The chairperson gave Dewi the floor to present her proposal.
give + the floor = grant permission to speak
Every delegate who wants the floor must raise their name card before speaking.
Senator Okafor was given the floor to respond to the opposition's questions.
be given the floor = receive permission to speak
After a long silence, Takeshi requested the floor to share his committee's findings.
- have the floor
- give someone the floor
- take the floor
- request the floor
- be given the floor
- right to speak
more literal and less idiomatic than 'the floor'
- permission to speak
describes the concept without the idiom
- the microphone
informal equivalent used in less formal meetings
Grammar Patterns
have the floor
give + object + the floor
take the floor
Usage Note
Subject is always a person or organization with authority to control a formal meeting. Not used in casual conversation.
Common Mistakes
8. a large flat area in a club, bar, party venue, or ballroom where people go to da
a large flat area in a club, bar, party venue, or ballroom where people go to dance
As soon as the music started, couples moved onto the dance floor.
onto the dance floor
The refurbished club now has a glass dance floor with coloured lights underneath.
Chidi stood at the edge of the dance floor, watching his friends.
At the wedding reception, the newlyweds were the first to step onto the dance floor.
The bar's small dance floor was packed with people by midnight.
- dance floor
- on the dance floor
- step onto the dance floor
- hit the dance floor
Grammar Patterns
on the dance floor
hit the dance floor
Usage Note
Distinguish from sense 3 (OPEN SPACE), which refers to any public space for dancing or discussion. This sense is specifically the dedicated area in entertainment venues.
9. the act of beginning to speak in a formal meeting, debate, or official gathering
the act of beginning to speak in a formal meeting, debate, or official gathering, often after being introduced or called upon
Theo took the floor and outlined the company's new sustainability plan.
take the floor = begin speaking in a meeting
Several experts took the floor one after another during the climate summit.
When Min finally took the floor, she spoke with remarkable confidence.
The opposition leader took the floor to challenge the proposed legislation.
- take the floor
- begin speaking
neutral, non-idiomatic alternative
- address the assembly
more formal, used in parliamentary contexts
Grammar Patterns
take the floor
Usage Note
Distinguish from sense 7 (RIGHT TO SPEAK): sense 7 focuses on having the right; sense 9 focuses on the action of starting to speak. Distinguish from sense 10 (GIVE THE FLOOR): sense 9 is what the speaker does; sense 10 is what the chairperson does.
10. used by a chairperson or host to invite or allow someone to speak during a confe
used by a chairperson or host to invite or allow someone to speak during a conference, hearing, or similar formal gathering
"You have the floor, Dr. Nakamura," the judge said, turning towards the witness.
you have the floor = invitation to speak
The committee chair gave the floor to the representative from the finance department.
After the opening remarks, the host gave the floor to the keynote speaker.
Salma had the floor for ten minutes, during which she answered questions from the panel.
- give the floor to
- have the floor
- yield the floor
- call on
less formal, used in classrooms and casual meetings
- yield the floor to
formal parliamentary expression for the current speaker giving permission
Grammar Patterns
give + object + the floor
have the floor
Usage Note
The person who gives the floor is always someone with authority over the meeting (chairperson, moderator, judge). 'Have the floor' describes the state of being the current speaker.
11. the lowest solid surface of a natural environment — for instance, the ocean bott
the lowest solid surface of a natural environment — for instance, the ocean bottom, the ground beneath trees in a woodland, or the rocky base inside a cavern
Divers explored the ocean floor near the coral reef in search of rare species.
ocean floor / sea floor
The forest floor was covered with fallen leaves, moss, and tiny mushrooms.
forest floor
The cave floor was slippery and wet from the constant dripping of water.
The valley floor stretched out flat for miles between the two mountain ranges.
Marine biologists study the sea floor to understand underwater ecosystems.
- ocean floor
- sea floor
- forest floor
- cave floor
- valley floor
- seafloor
- surface
the top or upper layer of something
Grammar Patterns
the + noun + floor
Usage Note
Commonly paired with a preceding noun: 'ocean floor', 'forest floor', 'cave floor', 'valley floor'. Not used for man-made structures (use 'bottom' instead).
12. the lowest acceptable amount, limit, or level for things such as wages, prices,
the lowest acceptable amount, limit, or level for things such as wages, prices, interest rates, or standards, below which they are not allowed to go
The government introduced a price floor for basic food items to protect farmers.
price floor = minimum price
A wage floor sets a minimum hourly rate that employers must pay their workers.
Economists argued about whether a floor on carbon prices would reduce pollution.
The contract includes a floor below which the manager's bonus cannot fall.
The central bank set a floor on interest rates to prevent the market from crashing.
- price floor
- wage floor
- floor on
- floor below which
- set a floor
- lower limit
neutral and descriptive, not tied to economics
- minimum
broader, used in many contexts
- base
implies a starting point rather than a restriction
- ceiling
the maximum allowable amount or level
Grammar Patterns
floor for + noun
price floor
wage floor
Usage Note
Often paired with a noun: 'price floor', 'wage floor', 'interest rate floor'. The opposite concept is 'ceiling' (maximum level). Common in economics and business contexts.
Common Mistakes
to defeat someone completely and easily in a competition, argument, or game
The defending champion wiped the floor with his opponent in under ten minutes.
Mira wiped the floor with the other team in the spelling bee.
to become involved in a project, business, or opportunity at its very beginning, when there is the most potential for gain
Investors who got in on the ground floor of the tech company saw huge returns.
Élise got in on the ground floor of the new app and became a senior manager.
floor it
idiomto press a car's accelerator pedal all the way down to make the vehicle go as fast as possible
When the light turned green, Zayd floored it and sped down the highway.
The driver floored it to make it through the yellow light in time.
To join a project or business at its very start.
Maya got in on the ground floor of the tech startup.
If you invest now, you can be in on the ground floor.
To receive permission to speak in a formal meeting.
The chairperson gave Diego the floor to present his report.
After the debate, Sara had the floor for five minutes.
hold the floor
idiomTo speak for a long time in a discussion, preventing others from talking.
Professor Chen held the floor for nearly an hour.
During the meeting, Brian held the floor and ignored questions.
take (to) the floor
idiomTo begin dancing on a dance floor.
At the wedding, the bride and groom took the floor first.
When the music started, many couples took to the floor.
To defeat someone completely in a competition or argument.
Our team wiped the floor with the rivals in the final match.
In the debate, Aiden mopped the floor with his opponent.
Word family
- flooringnounB2
- floorboardnounB2
- floorplannounB2
- flooredadjectiveB2
- shop floornounB2
- dance floornounB1
Synonym discussion
Sense: noun/1
Floor, ground, and flooring all relate to flat surfaces, but they are not interchangeable. Floor is the indoor walking surface inside a building: 'The cat is sleeping on the kitchen floor.' Ground is the outdoor surface of the earth: 'The keys fell on the ground outside.' You cannot say 'on the ground' when you mean inside a room, nor 'on the floor' when you mean bare earth. Flooring refers to the material or covering used to make a floor (wood, tile, vinyl): 'We chose bamboo flooring for the living room.' Unlike floor, flooring is an uncountable noun and describes a type of covering rather than a specific surface. For 'level of a building', floor is the everyday word (third floor, top floor), while story/storey is used for counting levels in descriptions of a building's size ('a five-story building'). Level is more neutral and can apply to floors, parking decks, or even non-building contexts. For natural bottom surfaces (ocean floor, forest floor), bottom is the general word for the lowest part of anything (a box, a lake, a cup), while seabed is the technical term restricted to the sea.
Common collocations
Nouns
- ground floor
- top floor
- first floor
- second floor
- dance floor
- shop floor
- ocean floor
- forest floor
- floor plan
- floor tile
- floor lamp
- floor mat
- floor space
- floor area
- floor number
- floor exercise
- price floor
- wage floor
- floor level
Adverbs
Phrases
- on the floor
- take the floor
- have the floor
- give the floor
- from the floor
- fall to the floor
- hit the floor
- floor it
- wipe the floor with
- get in on the ground floor
Etymology
Floor comes from Old English 'flōr', which goes back to a Proto-Germanic root '*flōraz' meaning a flat, level surface. This root is related to the word 'field' (both come from the idea of something spread out flat). The meaning 'level of a building' developed in late Middle English, and the figurative sense of 'minimum limit' (price floor, wage floor) appeared in American English during the 20th century.