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⇱ buoy - WordReference.com Dictionary of English

buoy

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UK:**UK and possibly other pronunciationsUK and possibly other pronunciations/ˈbɔɪ/US:USA pronunciation: IPA and respellingUSA pronunciation: IPA/ˈbui, bɔɪ/ ,USA pronunciation: respelling(bo̅o̅′ē, boi)


WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026
bu•oy /ˈbui, bɔɪ/USA pronunciation   n. 
    [countable]
  1. Naval Termsan anchored float used as a marker for ships.
  2. Nautical, Naval Termsa ringlike life preserver.

v. [~ + object]
    • to keep afloat.
    • to encourage;
      cheer up: Her courage was buoyed by the doctor's assurances.
  2. Nautical, Naval Termsto mark with buoys.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026
bu•oy  (bo̅o̅′ē, boi),USA pronunciation n. 
  1. Nautical, Naval Termsa 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. Nautical, Naval Termsa life buoy.

v.t. 
  1. to keep afloat or support by or as if by a life buoy;
    keep from sinking (often fol. by up):The life jacket buoyed her up until help arrived.
  2. Nautical, Naval Termsto mark with a buoy or buoys.
  3. to sustain or encourage (often fol. by up):Her courage was buoyed by the doctor's assurances.

v.i. 
  1. to float or rise by reason of lightness.
  • Gmc; akin to beacon
  • Middle French *boie, boue(e)
  • late Middle English boye a float 1425–75
    5. lift, uplift, boost, lighten; maintain, nurture.
Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::
buoy /bɔɪ; US: ˈbuːɪ/ n
  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
 vb
  1. (transitive) usually followed by up: to prevent from sinking: the belt buoyed him up
  2. (transitive) usually followed by up: to raise the spirits of; hearten
  3. (transitive) to mark (a channel or obstruction) with a buoy or buoys
  4. (intransitive) to rise to the surface
Etymology: 13th Century: probably of Germanic origin; compare Middle Dutch boeie, boeye; see beacon
'buoy' also found in these entries (note: many are not synonyms or translations):

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