levitate: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1/C2Formal/Literary, sometimes in popular culture or spiritual/paranormal contexts.
Quick answer
What does “levitate” mean?
To rise or cause to rise into the air, typically in a seemingly effortless, magical, or supernatural manner.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
To rise or cause to rise into the air, typically in a seemingly effortless, magical, or supernatural manner.
To remain suspended in the air without any visible means of support; also used metaphorically to describe a feeling of weightlessness, euphoria, or detachment from mundane concerns.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant lexical or semantic differences. Potential spelling variation in related derivatives (e.g., levitation).
Connotations
Similar connotations of magic, illusion, or paranormal phenomena in both varieties.
Frequency
Similar frequency. Possibly slightly more frequent in US media due to prominence of science fiction and paranormal TV shows.
Grammar
How to Use “levitate” in a Sentence
[Someone/Something] levitates.[Someone] levitates [something].[Someone/Something] levitates [prepositional phrase].Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “levitate” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The magician made the table levitate.
- She felt she could levitate with joy.
- The yogi was said to levitate during meditation.
American English
- The magician levitated the assistant above the stage.
- In the movie, the superhero can levitate at will.
- The magnet causes the object to levitate.
adverb
British English
- The object hung levitatingly in the air, defying explanation.
adjective
British English
- The levitating platform was part of the stage illusion.
- He experienced a levitating sensation in the dream.
American English
- The levitating train uses magnetic technology.
- She described a levitating feeling of pure bliss.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Almost never used literally. Metaphorical use possible: 'The company's stock price seemed to levitate after the announcement.'
Academic
Used in physics or parapsychology discussions about anti-gravity or psychokinesis.
Everyday
Used to describe magic tricks, supernatural events in films/books, or intense happiness: 'When I got the news, I felt like I was levitating.'
Technical
In engineering/physics, may describe magnetic or acoustic levitation systems.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “levitate”
- Incorrect: 'The helicopter levitated over the city.' (A helicopter uses visible mechanics; 'hovered' is correct.)
- Incorrect: 'She levitated the heavy box.' (Sounds like she used magic; 'lifted' is correct for normal effort.)
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
In a scientific sense, magnetic or acoustic levitation of objects is real. The common use of 'levitate' to describe a person floating without any technology is considered paranormal and not scientifically proven.
Yes, it's often used to describe an intense feeling of happiness or exhilaration that makes one feel light and detached, e.g., 'She was levitating with joy.'
'Levitate' specifically implies rising or suspension with no *visible* support, often magically. 'Hover' suggests staying in one place in the air (a helicopter can hover). 'Float' implies resting on the surface of a liquid or drifting gently in air/water.
It is a mid-frequency word, more common in discussions of magic, science fiction, paranormal phenomena, or metaphorical language than in everyday technical descriptions.
To rise or cause to rise into the air, typically in a seemingly effortless, magical, or supernatural manner.
Levitate is usually formal/literary, sometimes in popular culture or spiritual/paranormal contexts. in register.
Levitate: in British English it is pronounced /ˈlev.ɪ.teɪt/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈlev.ə.teɪt/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Levitate off the ground (in excitement)”
- “On cloud nine (related conceptual state)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a LEVer (like a see-saw) that makes things go up. LEVitate = LIFT-itate.
Conceptual Metaphor
HAPPINESS IS UP; SUPERNATURAL POWER IS ABOVE NORMAL REALITY.
Practice
Quiz
Which scenario best illustrates the core meaning of 'levitate'?