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

The effect is refreshed and buoyant. —Loren Savini, Allure, 20 May 2026

After a rejuvenating affair with buoyant co-star Albert Finney while filming Two For the Road, the Ferrers finally divorced in 1968. —Hadley Hall Meares, Vanity Fair, 15 May 2026

Wolves 0-2 Fulham Everton vs Sunderland From the buoyant mood of a month ago, heading into a home Merseyside derby with genuine hopes of beating Liverpool to Champions League qualification, Everton are now five games without a win. —Oliver Kay, New York Times, 15 May 2026

Plotting a linear, sinking trajectory, Kreutzer’s discomfiting film describes no such buoyant highs and lows. —Jessica Kiang, Variety, 15 May 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