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

Over eons, this deeply buried and buoyant salt layer squeezed upward in other places throughout the region, warping the surface into dramatic landforms like stone arches and spires. —Mike Bezemek, Smithsonian Magazine, 10 July 2025

But the buoyant mood was shattered as screams of fear and pain rang out when a minivan plowed into the revelers. —Chloe Mayer shane Croucher, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 May 2025

In April, Molteni’s chief executive officer Marco Piscitelli said sales were buoyant worldwide, especially in Asia, where the company continues to see growth potential. —Sofia Celeste, Footwear News, 23 May 2025

Despite significant macro risks ahead—including looming tariffs and weak consumer spending—markets remain buoyant, with the S&P 500 hitting a record high of 6,173.07 and futures rising further. —Jim Edwards, Fortune, 30 June 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