buoyancy

USAGE SUMMARY

Buoyancy is a correct and usable word in written English.
It typically refers to the ability of an object to float. You could use it in a sentence such as "The boat's buoyancy ensured that it floated easily across the lake."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The Ashes are all but safe for England.Australia, for all their apparent buoyancy having come tantalisingly close to winning the first Test, stand as much chance of getting back into this series now as Shane Watson has of entering into a civil partnership with his captain, Michael Clarke.

The Guardian - Sport

The magic ingredient driving last year's buoyancy in stock markets was, of course, quantitative easing.

The Guardian - Business

Set up by some of the team from the iconic Buoyancy club nights, Alfresco Disco pride themselves on putting on nights that promote a free-spirited vibe, away from the shackles that can often restrict inner-city clubs.

The Guardian - Music

He also has a shrewder understanding than many of his colleagues of why it is that the Tories don't seem to be getting as much credit for economic buoyancy as they feel they deserve.

The Guardian - Opinion

Well, because wetsuits aid buoyancy, the weaker swimmers have a better chance of keeping up with the stronger ones.

The Guardian - Sport

The buoyancy of modern America depended on its being unanchored by history or tradition, and this is the America we have inherited.

The Guardian - Books

One survivor of a sinking off Malta recounted spending several days clinging to a buoyancy aid along with a teenage Egyptian whose hope was to pay for heart medicine for his father.

The Guardian

Their house-cum-glitch sound has been judged electro-lite by some, but the buoyancy is countered by Alexander's voice.

The Guardian - Music

The buoyancy of the early 1970s had disappeared to make for what Murray once described as "sullen acquiescence".

The Guardian

That resilience reflects the buoyancy of its home market exports accounted for only 26% of its GDP last year and Indonesia's efforts to wean itself off foreign borrowing.

The Economist

Li Xiaochao, a spokesman for the National Bureau of Statistics, admitted the impact of the global financial crisis has been far worse than the government's had expected.And China is usually regarded as the country which, thanks to the buoyancy of domestic demand, is more likely than most to have managed to "decouple" itself from the recession gathering pace elsewhere.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "buoyancy" in a technical context, ensure you are accurately describing the upward force exerted by a fluid. In figurative contexts, use it to convey resilience or a positive outlook.

Common error

Avoid using "buoyancy" when you actually mean momentum or upward trajectory. "Buoyancy" specifically refers to the ability or tendency to float, not a general increase or acceleration.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "buoyancy" is that of a noun. It refers to the physical property that allows an object to float in a liquid or gas. Ludwig AI confirms this usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

36%

Science

32%

Formal & Business

16%

Less common in

Reference

6%

Academia

5%

Wiki

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "buoyancy" is a versatile noun with both literal and figurative applications. As Ludwig AI notes, it is a correct and usable word in written English. It is frequently used in news, scientific, and business contexts to describe the ability to float or to convey concepts of resilience and economic strength. When writing, ensure that you are using "buoyancy" to accurately describe the upward force exerted by a fluid or a metaphorical sense of positive outlook. By understanding its proper context and avoiding common errors, you can effectively use "buoyancy" in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

ability to float

Focuses on the literal capability of remaining on the surface of a liquid.

floating ability

Highlights the characteristic of being able to stay afloat.

upward force

Describes the physical force that causes something to float.

ability to stay afloat

Emphasizes the capacity to remain on the water's surface.

flotation capacity

Highlights the amount or degree to which something can float.

positive outlook

Shifts the meaning to the figurative sense of cheerfulness or optimism.

resilient spirit

Emphasizes the characteristic of bouncing back from adversity.

cheerfulness

Refers directly to the quality of being lighthearted and optimistic.

economic upturn

Applies the concept to financial or economic growth.

market resilience

Describes the ability of a market to recover and maintain stability.

FAQs

How to use "buoyancy" in a sentence?

You can use "buoyancy" to describe the ability of an object to float in a fluid, or figuratively to describe a positive and resilient attitude. For example, "The ship's design ensured excellent buoyancy," or "Her buoyancy helped her overcome the challenges".

What can I say instead of "buoyancy"?

You can use alternatives like "ability to float" for literal meanings, or "positive outlook" or "resilience" for figurative meanings, depending on the context.

Which is correct, "buoyancy" or "buoyance"?

"Buoyancy" is the correct term for the ability to float or a positive attitude. "Buoyance" is not a standard English word.

What's the difference between "buoyancy" and "flotation"?

"Buoyancy" is the force that causes something to float, while "flotation" refers to the act or state of floating. You can say that an object has high "flotation capacity" because of its "buoyancy".