Synonyms for

Drift

Verb / drɪft / Another word for drift — explore alternatives below. For syllable breakdowns and pronunciation, see this word on Syllablesworld.

Definition

To move along without a specific purpose or direction.

Synonyms & similar words

err trend vagabond beadrift ramble cast stray swan gallery wander roam freewheel heading movement tramp purport range rove impetus impulsion blow float roll float coast glide waft slide slip stream sail wander meander roam ramble saunter stroll ambulate walk trail stray driftwood flotsam

Synonyms by register

Formal

wander deviate meander stray

Informal

coast cruise shag roll

Literary

waft float glide

Antonyms

stay anchor hold stop remain resist secure

Common collocations

  • drift apart
  • drift away
  • drift off
  • drift snow
  • drift wood
  • drift current
  • drift ice

Word family

noun drift
verb drift
adjective drifty

Usage note

As a verb, 'drift' can refer to unintentional movement or a gradual change. Be mindful of context to distinguish between physical movement and abstract shifts.

Example sentences

  1. The snow drifts against the fence.
  2. The boat began to drift away from the shore.
  3. The clouds drift across the sky.
  4. The sand drifts across the desert.
  5. The car started to drift on the icy road.

Quotes

  • "Life is a journey that must be traveled no matter how bad the roads and accommodations." - Oliver Goldsmith
  • "The world is full of magical things, patiently waiting for our senses to grow sharper." - W.B. Yeats
  • "The moments of happiness we enjoy take us by surprise. It is not that we seize them, but that they seize us." - Ashley Montagu

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