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

• blithe
• blithesome
• bright
• canty [British dialect]
• cheerful
• cheery
• chipper
• eupeptic
• gay
• gladsome
• lightsome
• sunny
• upbeat
• winsome

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

This encapsulates the quality of the 2022 vintage—strikingly balanced with elevated flavor profiles—as well as the beauty of a Saint-Émilion with complex flavors well integrated with buoyant acidity. —Tom Mullen, Forbes, 23 Feb. 2025

Or for complex seafood dishes, the mom-and-pop Leche de Tigre Cocina Urbana — a few blocks north — is a buoyant beach party where every plate tastes fresh from the Pacific Coast, with layers of seafood and tropical fruit, cilantro and chile. —Freda Moon, New York Times, 13 Feb. 2025

In the 30-second spot — which will air during fourth quarter of the ultimate Kansas City Chiefs vs. Philadelphia Eagles game Sunday (Feb. 9) — a breathless 3-year-old girl sprints through her suburb as H.E.R.’s buoyant take on The Boss’ anthem plays. —Hannah Dailey, Billboard, 4 Feb. 2025

Byrne said that a fixed- or rotary-wing aircraft could operate as a drone to a larger, passively buoyant platform. —Leonard David, Space.com, 8 Feb. 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