Need another word for Drift? Use these synonyms of Drift from our thesaurus to say it differently.
Synonyms & Similar Words
drift
float
glide
slide
slip
slide
coast
cruise
sail
waft
blow
stray
wander
roam
meander
veer
swerve
curve
bend
turn
swing
sweep
flow
stream
current
tide
wave
surge
fluctuate
undulate
oscillate
vibrate
wander
stray
ramble
roam
range
prowl
patrol
pace
tread
trudge
plod
slog
trek
journey
travel
move
shift
change
wander
lose direction
get lost
Meaning of Drift
The primary meaning of the word "drift" is to move slowly and steadily, often without a specific direction or purpose.
Definitions
- To move slowly and steadily, often without a specific direction or purpose
- To be carried along by a current of air or water
- To deviate or wander from a course or direction
- To change or shift gradually, often in a subtle or imperceptible way
Etymology of Drift
The word "drift" originates from the Old English word "drifan", which means "to drive" and is related to the Old Norse word "drifa", which means "to drive" or "to push"
The word has been used in English since the 9th century, initially to describe the act of driving or pushing something, and later to describe the act of moving slowly and steadily, often without a specific direction or purpose
Example Uses
- The boat began to drift away from the shore as the current picked up
- Her attention started to drift as the lecture went on
- The company's sales have begun to drift downward in recent months
- The hikers got lost and started to drift through the woods, trying to find their way back