buoyant

adjective

buoy·​ant ˈbȯi-ənt 

ˈbü-yənt

: having buoyancy

Warm air is more buoyant than cool air.

: such as

a

: capable of floating

Cork is naturally buoyant.

b

: cheerful, gay

in a buoyant mood

c

: capable of maintaining a satisfactorily high level

a buoyant economy

buoyantly adverb

Synonyms

• cheerful
• optimistic
• bright

Examples of buoyant in a Sentence

Warm air is more buoyant than cool air.

The actors were buoyant as they prepared for the evening's performance.

Recent Examples on the Web

As the sun becomes warmer, during periods when the wind does not blow enough to maintain circulation the surface temperature climbs and the water there becomes more buoyant. —Anthony A. Ciuffa, Outdoor Life, 7 Aug. 2025

The buoyant financial services sector propelled 18 companies onto the list, more than double from the eight that appeared last year. —Ardian Wibisono, Forbes.com, 4 Aug. 2025

The impact of Trump’s tariffs is already being felt in some of Africa’s most buoyant economies and some of the continent’s poorest, such as Lesotho, which was slapped with a 15% tariff. —Nimi Princewill, CNN Money, 2 Aug. 2025

These buoyant boutique hotels usually cruise at walking speed, allowing guests to step ashore between stops for a lovely stroll or bicycle ride along the canal bank. —David Dickstein, Oc Register, 30 July 2025

Word History

Etymology

see buoy entry 1

First Known Use

1578, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for buoyant

• clairvoyant
• flamboyant

Kids Definition

buoyant

adjective

buoy·​ant ˈbȯi-ənt 

ˈbü-yənt

1

: having buoyancy

especially : capable of floating

2

: being in a happy mood : cheerful

buoyantly adverb