buoyant

adjective

buoy·​ant ˈbȯi-ənt How to pronounce buoyant (audio)
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

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Considering how long Canada was ahead, this result should feel like a letdown for Jesse Marsch’s side, which had been in buoyant form. Joshua Kloke, New York Times, 22 June 2025 Mirren, eldest daughter of the youngest Sinclair sister Bess (King), isn’t much more than Cadence’s formerly buoyant but now ill cousin in the book. Alyssa Davis, People.com, 19 June 2025 So, amid a relatively buoyant market, why did the British Fashion Council cancel its London Men’s Fashion Week, which has taken place every year since 2012? Joanne Shurvell, Forbes.com, 16 June 2025 But the mood at the show was buoyant and welcoming. Kelefa Sanneh, New Yorker, 11 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for buoyant

Word History

Etymology

see buoy entry 1

First Known Use

1578, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of buoyant was in 1578

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Buoyant.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/buoyant. Accessed 2 Jul. 2025.

Kids Definition

buoyant

adjective
buoy·​ant ˈbȯi-ənt How to pronounce buoyant (audio)
ˈbü-yənt
1
: having buoyancy
especially : capable of floating
2
: being in a happy mood : cheerful
buoyantly adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on buoyant

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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