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

India’s IPO market has been growing strongly in recent years, buoyed by strong economic growth.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Around 152,000 more cars were shipped than in the same quarter a year earlier, buoyed by the company’s normalized inventory position.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

But he was already buoyed by feedback at professional auditions.

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Those factors buoyed gold, perhaps the original refuge from market tumult, pushing most-actively traded futures past $3,000 a troy ounce in March for the first time.

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The swim area had buoys so that boats wouldn’t plow into you, but it didn’t look deep enough to swim at all.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• beacon