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noun

drifter

DRIHF-tuh

Drifter (noun) means a person who moves from place to place or job to job without settling down. Example: “He'd been a drifter for years, never staying anywhere long.”

noun
1
A person who moves from place to place or job to job without settling down.
"He'd been a drifter for years, never staying anywhere long."
2
A driver who deliberately slides a car sideways through corners as a driving technique or sport.
"The drifter smoked his tyres round the final bend."

How to use drifter

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishSomeone (or, in motorsport, a car driver) who moves without a fixed direction or destination.

Word forms

drifters plural, drifters plural

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He'd been a _____ for years, never staying anywhere long.

Related words

Rhymes for drifter

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Frequently asked questions

What does “drifter” mean?

The word “drifter” means a person who moves from place to place or job to job without settling down. In plain terms, someone (or, in motorsport, a car driver) who moves without a fixed direction or destination.

How do you pronounce “drifter”?

“Drifter” is pronounced DRIHF-tuh (/ˈdɹɪftɚ/ in IPA).

How do you use “drifter” in a sentence?

Here is “drifter” used in a sentence: “He'd been a drifter for years, never staying anywhere long.”

What part of speech is “drifter”?

“Drifter” is a noun.

How many meanings does “drifter” have?

“Drifter” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a person who moves from place to place or job to job without settling down.

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Definitions: FreeDict original editorial