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

Within both design and fashion, the Middle East is one of those buoyant markets providing a glimmer of hope amid a difficult economy worldwide. —Sofia Celeste, Footwear News, 14 Oct. 2025

This is how High Tea kicks off its brightest, most buoyant folk pop song yet. —Jed Gottlieb, Boston Herald, 12 Oct. 2025

Over the past few years, Teasdale has grown to embrace the slow mornings and simple comforts that come with being a homebody, and Moisturizer, Wet Leg’s bright, celestial second album, captures small-hours moments, sofa snogs and falling into the buoyant daze of doing nothing all day. —Sophie Williams, Billboard, 10 Oct. 2025

The trailer for Roofman makes the movie look like a buoyant romantic comedy, and that’s more than halfway accurate. —Stephanie Zacharek, Time, 10 Oct. 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