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.
The buoyant scene is not proof of a revival of Catholicism among increasingly secular Spaniards. Erika Page, Christian Science Monitor, 22 Apr. 2025 Twenty years on, two things immediately stick out about Wright’s film: The incredible performances from tip to toe and the buoyant sense of joy that’s present in even dark moments. Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 21 Apr. 2025 His intentions are evident in the amount of buoyant, contagious laughter in so many of the scenes featuring the Bennet sisters. Abigail Lee, Variety, 18 Apr. 2025 Despite Malaysia’s buoyant IPO market with 55 listings in 2024, the benchmark stock index remained sluggish and was pushed further down after the U.S. tariff shock. Anu Raghunathan, Forbes.com, 16 Apr. 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

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Buoyant.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/buoyant. Accessed 1 May. 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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