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Buoying: meaning, definitions and examples

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buoying

 

[ ˈbɔɪɪŋ ]

Verb
Context #1 | Verb

supporting someone

To buoy means to keep someone or something afloat or to support them emotionally or financially. It derives from the idea of a buoy in water that helps boats stay on the surface. When someone is feeling down, friends may buoy them up with encouragement. The term can also refer to boosting morale in a team or organization. One might buoy their spirits by providing hope or motivation.

Synonyms

boost, encourage, support, uplift

Examples of usage

  • Her words helped to buoy his confidence.
  • The charity aims to buoy the spirits of the local community.
  • They worked together to buoy each other's morale during tough times.

Translations

Translations of the word "buoying" in other languages:

🇵🇹 flutuação

🇮🇳 तैराकी

🇩🇪 Auftrieb

🇮🇩 mengapung

🇺🇦 підтримка

🇵🇱 unoszenie

🇯🇵 浮揚

🇫🇷 flottabilité

🇪🇸 flotación

🇹🇷 yüzme

🇰🇷 부력

🇸🇦 طفو

🇨🇿 vznášení

🇸🇰 plávajúce

🇨🇳 浮力

🇸🇮 plovnost

🇮🇸 flotandi

🇰🇿 жүзу

🇬🇪 ტივტივობა

🇦🇿 sükanlama

🇲🇽 flotación

Etymology

The word 'buoy' originates from the Middle English term 'boye' or 'boie', which meant a floating object used to mark a safe passage for ships. This term likely has its roots in the Old French 'boie', which referred to a float. The verb form 'to buoy' emerged later as a metaphorical extension of the original meaning, allowing for broader applications in language, including emotional support. As the use of the term expanded, so too did its connotations, leading to contemporary usages that involve uplifting one's spirits or reinforcing someone's resolve. This evolution illustrates the dynamic nature of language, where words develop new meanings over time while still retaining a connection to their origins.

Word Frequency Rank

Ranking #38,190, this word is encountered relatively rarely in everyday English. It might appear in literary works or specialized texts but isn't essential for general communication.