Definition of drift

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  • drift is a valid Scrabble US word with a point value of 9
  • drift is a valid Scrabble UK word with a point value of 9
  • drift is a valid Words with friends word with a point value of 9

Definition of drift

  • live unhurriedly, irresponsibly, or freely (verb)

    Examples

    1. My son drifted around for years in California before going to law school

    Synonyms

    1. freewheel
  • the pervading meaning or tenor (noun)

    Examples

    1. caught the general drift of the conversation

    Synonyms

    1. purport
  • be in motion due to some air or water current (verb)

    Examples

    1. the boat drifted on the lake
    2. The sailboat was adrift on the open sea
    3. the shipwrecked boat drifted away from the shore

    Synonyms

    1. be adrift
    2. blow
    3. float
  • a force that moves something along (noun)

    Synonyms

    1. impetus
    2. impulsion
  • a general tendency to change (as of opinion) (noun)

    Synonyms

    1. movement
    2. trend
  • move about aimlessly or without any destination, often in search of food or employment (verb)

    Examples

    1. the laborers drift from one town to the next

    Synonyms

    1. cast
    2. ramble
    3. range
    4. roam
    5. roll
    6. rove
    7. stray
    8. swan
    9. tramp
    10. vagabond
    11. wander
  • wander from a direct course or at random (verb)

    Examples

    1. don't drift from the set course

    Synonyms

    1. err
    2. stray
  • a horizontal (or nearly horizontal) passageway in a mine (noun)

    Examples

    1. they dug a drift parallel with the vein

    Synonyms

    1. gallery
    2. heading
  • a large mass of material that is heaped up by the wind or by water currents (noun)
  • a process of linguistic change over a period of time (noun)
  • be piled up in banks or heaps by the force of wind or a current (verb)

    Examples

    1. snow drifting several feet high
    2. sand drifting like snow
  • be subject to fluctuation (verb)

    Examples

    1. The stock market drifted upward
  • cause to be carried by a current (verb)

    Examples

    1. drift the boats downstream
  • drive slowly and far afield for grazing (verb)

    Examples

    1. drift the cattle herds westwards
  • move in an unhurried fashion (verb)

    Examples

    1. The unknown young man drifted among the invited guests
  • the gradual departure from an intended course due to external influences (as a ship or plane) (noun)
  • vary or move from a fixed point or course (verb)

    Examples

    1. stock prices are drifting higher

See definition of drift in Merriam Webster