adj
Uncommon
drifting
DRIHF-tihng
Drifting (adj) means moving aimlessly, without a clear goal or direction. Example: “He felt drifting and unsure what to do with his life.”
adj
1
Moving aimlessly, without a clear goal or direction.
"He felt drifting and unsure what to do with his life."
noun
1
A motorsport technique in which the driver intentionally slides the car sideways through a corner while keeping control.
"The car park hosted an amateur drifting competition."
How to use drifting
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishEither moving with no fixed purpose, or (in cars) sliding sideways through a turn on purpose.
Common pairings
drifting apart
drifting competition
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Word forms
- Plural
- driftings
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Can you complete this real example?
He felt _____ and unsure what to do with his life.
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for drifting
See all rhymes for drifting →Frequently asked questions
What does “drifting” mean?
The word “drifting” means moving aimlessly, without a clear goal or direction. In plain terms, either moving with no fixed purpose, or (in cars) sliding sideways through a turn on purpose.
How do you pronounce “drifting”?
“Drifting” is pronounced DRIHF-tihng (/ˈdɹɪftɪŋ/ in IPA).
How do you use “drifting” in a sentence?
Here is “drifting” used in a sentence: “He felt drifting and unsure what to do with his life.”
What part of speech is “drifting”?
Depending on how it is used, “drifting” can be an adjective and a noun.
Is “drifting” a common word?
“Drifting” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “drifting” have?
“Drifting” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: moving aimlessly, without a clear goal or direction.
What is the difference between "drifting" as a general term and "drifting" in motorsport?
In everyday use, "drifting" describes moving aimlessly, without a clear goal or direction, whether physically or in life choices. In motorsport, "drifting" is a specific technique in which the driver intentionally slides the car sideways through a corner while keeping control, an unrelated technical meaning.
Is "drifting" always negative when used about a person's life or career?
It often carries a mildly negative or aimless connotation, describing someone moving without a clear goal or direction, such as "drifting from job to job." However, it doesn't necessarily imply failure, just a lack of defined direction.
