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 first feature in 12 years from co-directors Lord and Miller — whose collaborations include The Lego Movie, the Spider-Verse films, 21 Jump Street and its sequel — the new film shows their facility for buoyant humor and heartfelt emotion very much intact. —David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 10 Mar. 2026

Feelwise, this one leans buoyant. —Bailey Berg, Architectural Digest, 10 Mar. 2026

Personal flotation devices Personal flotation devices help keep kids buoyant in the water, and are an important safety tool for young swimmers and inexperienced swimmers alike. —ABC News, 10 Mar. 2026

But the mood was less buoyant at the JBX, or Joburg Xchange, a three-day industry event running parallel to the festival. —Christopher Vourlias, Variety, 9 Mar. 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