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

Their mood during the call was buoyant. —Mike Hixenbaugh, NBC news, 19 Feb. 2026

Even in the nominally slow movement, which McKay managed to make both songful and and buoyant, this is happy music. —Scott Cantrell, Dallas Morning News, 18 Feb. 2026

From the artists and gallerists cast on the runway to the buoyant soundtrack and those perfect party frocks — the stiletto print was a favorite — the show had a sense of joy that felt genuine and much needed. —Lisa Lockwood, Footwear News, 17 Feb. 2026

The new record opens with a spoken word intro from the funk father himself, George Clinton, which somewhat belies its lack of buoyant grooves, but sets the tone for its poetic and often esoteric themes. —Lina Lecaro, Rolling Stone, 17 Feb. 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