buoy

American  

[boo-ee, boi] / ˈbu i, bɔɪ /

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.

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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 British  

/ 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

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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

Etymology

Origin of buoy

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

Example Sentences

South Africa, the runners-up in 2024, have never won a white ball World Cup, but are buoyed by winning the World Test Championship last year.

From Barron's

“From what I witnessed at school, you are someone who floats through life, buoyed by the current, but who nevertheless believes himself to be swimming.”

From Literature

It took longer, but my next stroke of luck was swimming into the buoy line of a net.

From Literature

U.S. growth is likely to be buoyed by AI and high-income consumers, he adds, describing momentum as “fragile, but strong.”

From The Wall Street Journal

Approval ratings for her cabinet have since remained unusually high, buoyed by youth support that polls put at 70-80 percent last month, compared with around 50 percent among those aged 60 or older.

From Barron's

Related Words

• beacon