Correct spelling

buoyant

Correct spelling, explanation: the word is most likely based on the Dutch word boye or boeie and over time it changed the spelling to fit the pronunciation. In English, oy is pronounced as oi, while the original pronunciation was closer to uoi. It’s visible, as in American spelling buoy is spelled distinctively different from boy, but remember it is a homophone in British English.

Definition of buoyant:
adjective
1. able to keep afloat
Life vests on boats are specifically designed to be buoyant and save a person from drowning.
2. optimistic, in high spirits
Emily is such a buoyant person, she can always make you feel better when she’s around.


Incorrect spelling

boyant

Incorrect spelling, explanation: buoyant – the correct spelling of the word – originates in Dutch boye or boeie. It may seem, then, that the spelling boyant is also fine, but it’s important to think about the pronunciation of the word first. Because it was a Dutch word, the spelling fit the pronunciation, but when the word was borrowed to English, however, the spelling needed to be changed to fit this pronunciation, therefore oy became uoy.

Incorrect spelling

bouyant

Incorrect spelling