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bu·oy
 buoy
- pronunciation:
- bu
i
[or]
boi
- parts of speech:
- noun, transitive verb
- features:
- Homophone Note
| part of speech: |
noun |
| definition 1: |
a float attached by line to the bottom of a body of water to mark a location.
We'll go left after we pass that buoy.- similar words:
- beacon, bell buoy, float, marker
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| definition 2: |
a float used to prevent someone from drowning.
Grab the buoy and hang on!- synonyms:
- life buoy
- similar words:
- float, life belt, life jacket, life preserver, lifeline
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| related words: |
boom |
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| part of speech: |
transitive verb |
| inflections: |
buoyed, buoying, buoys |
| definition 1: |
to cause to float (often fol. by up).
A piece of driftwood buoyed him up.- similar words:
- carry, float, support
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| definition 2: |
to improve the morale of (often fol. by up).
The phone call from her friend buoyed her up.- synonyms:
- cheer, cheer up, hearten, pep up
- similar words:
- encourage, fortify, invigorate, uplift
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| definition 3: |
to mark using a buoy.
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| related words: |
launch, nerve |
The words buoy and boy can sound alike but they have different meanings.
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