Meaning & Definition of Drift in English

1. A force that moves something along

2. The gradual departure from an intended course due to external influences (as a ship or plane)

3. A process of linguistic change over a period of time

4. A large mass of material that is heaped up by the wind or by water currents

5. A general tendency to change (as of opinion)

• "Not openly liberal but that is the trend of the book"

• "A broad movement of the electorate to the right"

6. The pervading meaning or tenor

• "Caught the general drift of the conversation"

7. A horizontal (or nearly horizontal) passageway in a mine

• "They dug a drift parallel with the vein"

1. Be in motion due to some air or water current

• "The leaves were blowing in the wind"

• "The boat drifted on the lake"

• "The sailboat was adrift on the open sea"

• "The shipwrecked boat drifted away from the shore"

2. Wander from a direct course or at random

• "The child strayed from the path and her parents lost sight of her"

• "Don't drift from the set course"

3. Move about aimlessly or without any destination, often in search of food or employment

• "The gypsies roamed the woods"

• "Roving vagabonds"

• "The wandering jew"

• "The cattle roam across the prairie"

• "The laborers drift from one town to the next"

• "They rolled from town to town"

4. Vary or move from a fixed point or course

• "Stock prices are drifting higher"

5. Live unhurriedly, irresponsibly, or freely

• "My son drifted around for years in california before going to law school"

6. Move in an unhurried fashion

• "The unknown young man drifted among the invited guests"

7. Cause to be carried by a current

• "Drift the boats downstream"

8. Drive slowly and far afield for grazing

• "Drift the cattle herds westwards"

9. Be subject to fluctuation

• "The stock market drifted upward"

10. Be piled up in banks or heaps by the force of wind or a current

• "Snow drifting several feet high"

• "Sand drifting like snow"