noun
buoy
BOY
Buoy (noun) means a floating marker anchored in water to warn of danger, mark a channel, or show a location. Example: “The sailors steered carefully around the warning buoy.”
noun
1
A floating marker anchored in water to warn of danger, mark a channel, or show a location.
"The sailors steered carefully around the warning buoy."
"A red buoy marked the edge of the swimming area."
verb
1
To keep something floating, or to lift someone's spirits or confidence.
"Good news about the harvest buoyed the farmers' spirits."
"Strong export figures buoyed the local economy."
How to use buoy
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA floating marker in water, or — as a verb — to keep something afloat or in good spirits.
Common mistake
Don't confuse with "boy" (same pronunciation in many accents) or "buy".
Common pairings
marker buoy
buoyed by
buoy up
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Word forms
- Plural
- buoys
- Third person singular
- buoys
- Past tense
- buoyed
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The sailors steered carefully around the warning _____.
Etymology
From Middle Dutch boeye ("float"), tracing back through Old French to a Germanic word related to "beacon".
Synonyms
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buoy up
Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for buoy
See all rhymes for buoy →Frequently asked questions
What does “buoy” mean?
The word “buoy” means a floating marker anchored in water to warn of danger, mark a channel, or show a location. In plain terms, a floating marker in water, or — as a verb — to keep something afloat or in good spirits.
How do you pronounce “buoy”?
“Buoy” is pronounced BOY (/ˈbu.i/ in IPA).
How do you use “buoy” in a sentence?
Here is “buoy” used in a sentence: “The sailors steered carefully around the warning buoy.”
What part of speech is “buoy”?
Depending on how it is used, “buoy” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “buoy” come from?
The word “buoy” comes from Old French. From Middle Dutch boeye ("float"), tracing back through Old French to a Germanic word related to "beacon".
How many meanings does “buoy” have?
“Buoy” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a floating marker anchored in water to warn of danger, mark a channel, or show a location.
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