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 of buoyant

• 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

Spending has held up, in large part due to persistently low unemployment and a buoyant stock market that has boosted household wealth for many. — Bryan Mena, CNN Money, 14 Aug. 2026

Her lively cast, led by a buoyant Ella Rubin, bounce off each other in a remote, gorgeous, lakeside setting on which the show’s entire story pivots. — Ben Travers, IndieWire, 5 Aug. 2026

Sperm whales take their naps by first diving down a bit before the buoyant head turns toward the surface; by sinking tail-first to a depth of roughly 8 meters; or by slowly ascending to the surface after a deep dive (over 200 meters). — ArsTechnica, 3 Aug. 2026

Dough should be very smooth and slightly tacky with a soft, buoyant texture. — Claire Saffitz, Bon Appetit Magazine, 1 Aug. 2026

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