noun

buoyancy

BOY-uhn-see

Buoyancy (noun) means the upward force that lets an object float or feel lighter in a liquid or gas. Example: “A life jacket adds buoyancy so a swimmer stays afloat.”

noun

The upward force that lets an object float or feel lighter in a liquid or gas.

"A life jacket adds buoyancy so a swimmer stays afloat."

A cheerful, resilient mood or lively confidence.

"Despite the setback, she kept a natural buoyancy."

How to Use Buoyancy

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishThe physical ability to float, or a figurative sense of high spirits.

Common pairings

positive buoyancy natural buoyancy

Word Forms

buoyancies plural

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Fill the Gap

Can you complete this real example?

A life jacket adds _____ so a swimmer stays afloat.

Etymology

Formed from "buoyant" plus the noun ending "-cy".

Rhymes for buoyancy

nancy fancy Yancy clancy vacancy infancy vagrancy constancy pregnancy occupancy redundancy expectancy

See all rhymes for buoyancy →

Frequently Asked Questions

What does “buoyancy” mean?

The word “buoyancy” means the upward force that lets an object float or feel lighter in a liquid or gas. In plain terms, the physical ability to float, or a figurative sense of high spirits.

How do you pronounce “buoyancy”?

“Buoyancy” is pronounced BOY-uhn-see (/ˈbɔɪ.ən.si/ in IPA).

How do you use “buoyancy” in a sentence?

Here is “buoyancy” used in a sentence: “A life jacket adds buoyancy so a swimmer stays afloat.”

What part of speech is “buoyancy”?

“Buoyancy” is a noun.

How many meanings does “buoyancy” have?

“Buoyancy” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the upward force that lets an object float or feel lighter in a liquid or gas.