buoyant

buoy +‎ -ant

• IPA^(key): /ˈbɔɪ.ənt/

• Audio (Berkshire)

  (file)

• Rhymes: -ɔɪ.ənt

buoyant (comparative more buoyant, superlative most buoyant)

1. Having buoyancy; able to float.
   • 2012, Chinle Miller, In Mesozoic Lands: The Mesozoic Geology of Arches and Canyonlands National Parks, Kindle edition:

     And of course, in order to understand the Earth's past and how it got to where it now is, it is important to have a basic knowledge of plate tectonics, which explains how the planet's continental and oceanic crusts are part of the lithospheric plates that are buoyant and ride upon the highly viscous asthenosphere.

2. (figuratively) Lighthearted and lively.

   I’m in a buoyant mood.

3. (of an economy, business etc.) Involving or engaged in much successful trade or activity.
   • 1964 September, G. Freeman Allen, “Interim report on the East Coast Route express service”, in Modern Railways, page 158:

     [...] the accelerated, high-frequency East Coast express timetable, operating this year in a buoyant economic environment, is beginning to attract more business travel to rail (although there is still a long way to go before the potential is fully realised); [...].

• buoyancy
• buoy
• buoy up
• buoying

• Archimedes' principle