adj
adrift
uh-DRIHFT
adj
1
Drifting without control or direction, especially on water.
"The rowboat was found adrift in the bay."
"After the engine failed, the yacht drifted adrift for hours."
2
Lacking direction or purpose in life.
"After losing his job, he felt completely adrift."
"She spent her twenties feeling adrift, unsure what she wanted."
How to Use Adrift
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishFloating aimlessly, or feeling lost and without direction in life.
Common pairings
set adrift
feel adrift
Word Forms
more adrift comparative, more adrift comparative, most adrift superlative, most adrift superlative
Study it as flashcards or scroll it in Flow — saved to your collection.
Test yourself on “adrift”
A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage
→
Fill the Gap
Can you complete this real example?
The rowboat was found _____ in the bay.
Etymology
From a- ("in a state of") + drift.