What does levitate mean?
Levitate means to float or rise above a surface without ordinary physical support, or to cause something to do so. In its literal use, the word can describe an object held aloft by magnetic, aerodynamic, or other forces. More often, however, it evokes stage magic, fantasy, spirituality, or deliberate visual trickery: a performer levitates, a character levitates a chair, or an image seems to levitate. The verb can be transitive, as in “she levitated the box,” or intransitive, as in “the box levitated.” Its slightly theatrical tone makes it especially effective in imaginative, humorous, or uncanny writing, while precise scientific writing usually names the relevant force instead. Understanding levitate helps distinguish unsupported rising from ordinary suspension and adds a memorable supernatural or inventive note to descriptions of movement.
verbTo rise or hover above a surface without ordinary physical support, or to cause something to rise or hover in that way. The word is especially associated with magic, fantasy, spiritualism, and figuratively with movement that seems to defy gravity.
- To cause oneself or something to rise or hover above a surface without ordinary physical support.
- To rise or hover in the air, especially in a manner that seems to defy gravity.
"The magician levitated a violin high above the stage."
"She levitated the box above the audience's heads."
"With the engine idling, the experimental craft appeared to levitate above the platform."
Its Latin root means “light,” so the word carries a clue to its image of rising, weightless motion.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does levitate come from?
The English verb comes from Medieval Latin levitare, derived from Latin levitas, meaning “lightness,” which in turn comes from levis, meaning “light” or “not heavy.” It entered English in the early 17th century and was used both for physical elevation and for supernatural or magical rising. Levity and levitation descend from the same Latin root, while levitative is a later English derivative meaning tending or able to make something rise.
Related word forms
How levitate is actually used
The verb has a literary, theatrical, or fantastical tone and is often deliberately whimsical or uncanny. In technical writing, it can describe genuine levitation caused by magnetic, aerodynamic, or other forces, though scientific contexts may prefer more specific terminology.
Easily confused with levitate
Levity means lightness of manner, often humorous or playful, whereas levitate means to rise or cause something to rise above a surface.