Incorrect spelling, explanation: boyant is an incorrect spelling mostly because of the issues with pronunciation. This spelling suggests that the word would be pronounced and related to the word boy and it’s just incorrect. So, to make the pronunciation and the foreign origin of the word clear, the spelling buoyant is much more practical.
Correct spelling, explanation: buoyant is most probably based on the Dutch word boye. The spelling may seem counterintuitive at first, but let’s think about the pronunciation: the word comes from Dutch, and the oye sound was more similar to the [uoi] pronunciation, rather than [oi] (like boy). Therefore, it was the buoy spelling variant that became popular and correct in English.
Definition of buoyant:
adjective
1. having the ability to keep afloat
I dropped my flip-flops into the water, but they were made of foam and buoyant, so they didn’t drown.
2. (usually about a person or personality) cheerful
Even people with buoyant personalities can be sad sometimes.
Incorrect spelling
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We’ll fix that, thank you for your comment Tim!
There is an older spelling ‘boyant’: Dickens used it in Martin Chuzzlewit: you should indicate it as archaic, and not as ‘incorrect’, perhaps.
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