Need another word for Drifter? Use these synonyms of Drifter from our thesaurus to say it differently.
Synonyms & Similar Words
vagabond
wanderer
nomad
rogue
rambler
traveler
vagrant
hobo
bum
tramp
idler
loafer
slacker
floater
drizzle
migrant
refugee
exile
outcast
stray
castaway
derelict
aimless
homeless
shiftless
irresponsible
feckless
careless
reckless
errant
roaming
roaming
itinerant
peripatetic
migratory
unsettled
unstable
unsteady
rootless
footloose
fancy-free.
Meaning of Drifter
A person who drifts from place to place without a regular home or job.
Definitions
- A person who travels from place to place without a regular home or job, often in search of work or adventure.
- A person who is aimless or lacks direction, drifting through life without a clear purpose or goal.
- In geology, a large mass of ice or rock that has moved away from its original position.
Etymology of Drifter
The word "drifter" originated in the mid-19th century, derived from the verb "drift", which means to move slowly and aimlessly, often carried by wind, water, or other forces.
The term initially referred to a person who drifted from place to place, often in search of work or adventure, and later expanded to include other meanings, such as a geological formation that has moved away from its original position.
Example Uses
- The drifter had been on the road for months, taking on odd jobs to survive.
- As a drifter, she never stayed in one place for too long, always searching for a new experience.
- The drifter's lack of direction and purpose made it difficult for him to settle down and start a family.