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.
Despite her numbness, there was something unexpectedly buoyant in her movements. Samanta Schweblin, The New Yorker, 26 Jan. 2025 If not, that buoyant derby feeling would be zapped. Charlotte Harpur, The Athletic, 23 Jan. 2025 The latest menswear shows in Milan for the Fall-Winter 2025 season left their usual buoyant mood at the door. Scarlett Conlon, CNN, 22 Jan. 2025 The mood on Wall Street has been decidedly buoyant heading into and following President Donald Trump ‘s inauguration, but that could open the market up to some disappointment. Sarah Min, CNBC, 21 Jan. 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

Dictionary Entries Near buoyant

Cite this Entry

“Buoyant.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/buoyant. Accessed 3 Feb. 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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