buoy

[boo-ee, boi]

noun

1. Nautical.,  a distinctively shaped and marked float, sometimes carrying a signal or signals, anchored to mark a channel, anchorage, navigational hazard, etc., or to provide a mooring place away from the shore.

2. a life buoy.

verb (used with object)

1. to keep afloat or support by or as if by a life buoy; keep from sinking (often followed byup ).

   The life jacket buoyed her up until help arrived.

2. Nautical.,  to mark with a buoy or buoys.

3. to sustain or encourage (often followed byup ).

   Her courage was buoyed by the doctor's assurances.

   Synonyms: nurture, maintain, lighten, boost, uplift, lift

verb (used without object)

1. to float or rise by reason of lightness.

buoy

/ ˈbuːɪ, bɔɪ /

noun

1. a distinctively shaped and coloured float, anchored to the bottom, for designating moorings, navigable channels, or obstructions in a body of water See also life buoy

verb

1. to prevent from sinking

   the belt buoyed him up

2. to raise the spirits of; hearten

3. (tr) nautical to mark (a channel or obstruction) with a buoy or buoys

4. (intr) to rise to the surface

Word History and Origins

Origin of buoy¹

First recorded in 1425–75; late Middle English boye “a float,” from unattested Middle French boie, boue(e), from Germanic; akin to beacon

Word History and Origins

Origin of buoy¹

C13: probably of Germanic origin; compare Middle Dutch boeie, boeye ; see _beacon

Example Sentences

The number of whales getting tangled up in fishing nets, line, buoys and other miscellaneous rope off the coasts of the United States hit a record high in 2024, with California taking the ignominious lead.

From Los Angeles Times

His supporters, unsurprisingly, have been buoyed by both his jokes and his unbowed tone.

From BBC

And they are buoyed by internal polling suggesting more people are at least open to voting Lib Dem than for any other party right now.

From BBC

Harry Brook will be there as captain, then all of Smith, Duckett and Jacob Bethell will either be buoyed, exhausted or both, depending on what happens in Australia.

From BBC

Constitution, may be her best yet, a capacious work that lands at the right moment, like a life buoy, as our ship of state takes on water.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• beacon