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buoy

bu·oy

buoy

 
 
pronunciation:
bu i [or] boi
parts of speech:
noun, transitive verb
features:
Word Combinations (noun, verb), 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
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
Word CombinationsSubscriber feature About this feature
 
part of speech: transitive verb
inflections: buoys, buoying, buoyed
definition 1: to cause to float (often fol. by "up").
A piece of driftwood buoyed him up.
similar words:
carry, float, support
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
definition 3: to mark using a buoy.
Word CombinationsSubscriber feature About this feature
Homophone Note
The words buoy and boy can sound alike but they have different meanings.