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

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

My spirit is always pretty buoyant, so at the end of the day, that's all that matters. —Brianne Tracy, People.com, 25 June 2025

Moreover, because warmer water is also more buoyant, the water at the ocean’s surface tends to stay there, cutting off ocean circulation and stopping the most oxygenated layers of the ocean from mixing with the least oxygenated ones. —Sam Walters, Discover Magazine, 24 June 2025

However, The Wind Waker remains a wonderfully buoyant adventure, and in retrospect, the blueprint for the direction Nintendo would eventually take its marquee franchise in the distant future. —Luke Winkie, Vulture, 18 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