drift
Drift (noun) means a slow, gradual movement or change, often without direct control. Example: “There has been a gradual drift toward remote work.”
How to use drift
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishSlow, passive movement — whether it's snow piling up, a boat floating off course, or a conversation's general point.
"Drift off" usually means falling asleep, not literally floating away.
Word forms
drifted past tense, drifts plural, drifts singular
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
There has been a gradual _____ toward remote work.
Etymology
From Middle English drift, dryft (“act of driving, drove, shower of rain or snow, impulse”), from Old English *drift (“drift”), from Proto-Germanic *driftiz (“drift”), from Proto-Indo-European *dʰreybʰ- (“to drive, push”). Equivalent to drive + -t; cognate with North Frisian drift (“drift”), Saterland Frisian Drift (“current, flow, stream, drift”), Dutch drift (“drift, passion, urge”), German Drift (“drift”) and Trift (“drove, pasture”), Danish drift (“impulse, instinct”), Swedish drift (“impulse, instinct”), Icelandic drift (“drift, snow-drift”).
Synonyms
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Rhymes for drift
See all rhymes for drift →Frequently asked questions
What does “drift” mean?
The word “drift” means a slow, gradual movement or change, often without direct control. In plain terms, slow, passive movement — whether it's snow piling up, a boat floating off course, or a conversation's general point.
How do you pronounce “drift”?
“Drift” is pronounced drihft (/dɹɪft/ in IPA).
How do you use “drift” in a sentence?
Here is “drift” used in a sentence: “There has been a gradual drift toward remote work.”
What part of speech is “drift”?
Depending on how it is used, “drift” can be a noun and a verb.
Is “drift” a common word?
“Drift” is a fairly common word in modern English.
How many meanings does “drift” have?
“Drift” has 4 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a slow, gradual movement or change, often without direct control.
What is the difference between drift and float?
Drift emphasizes slow, gradual movement carried by wind, water, or circumstance, often without direct control or clear direction. Float simply describes staying on or near the surface of a liquid or in the air, without necessarily implying movement.
How is drift used as a noun for snow or sand?
As a noun, a drift refers to a large mound of snow, sand, or debris piled up by wind or current, such as a snowdrift blocking a road.
How is drift used as a verb?
As a verb, drift means to move slowly and without control, carried by wind, water, or circumstance, as in "the boat drifted out to sea" or "her attention drifted during the lecture."