English to English

drift
(dr/I/ft )

adjective (a)

  • That causes drifting or that is drifted; movable by wind or currents; as, drift currents; drift ice; drift mud.(adjective)
    source: webster1913

noun (n)

  • a force that moves something along(noun.phenomenon)
    Synonym:
    impetus, impulsion
    source: wordnet30
  • the gradual departure from an intended course due to external influences (as a ship or plane)(noun.process)
    source: wordnet30
  • a process of linguistic change over a period of time(noun.process)
    source: wordnet30
  • a large mass of material that is heaped up by the wind or by water currents(noun.object)
    source: wordnet30
  • a general tendency to change (as of opinion)(noun.cognition)
    Synonym:
    movement, trend
    source: wordnet30
  • the pervading meaning or tenor(noun.cognition)
    Example:
    Caught the general drift of the conversation.
    Synonym:
    purport
    source: wordnet30
  • a horizontal (or nearly horizontal) passageway in a mine(noun.artifact)
    Example:
    They dug a drift parallel with the vein.
    Synonym:
    gallery, heading
    source: wordnet30
  • A driving; a violent movement.(noun)
    source: webster1913
  • One of the slower movements of oceanic circulation; a general tendency of the water, subject to occasional or frequent diversion or reversal by the wind; as, the easterly drift of the North Pacific.(noun)
    source: webster1913

verb (v)

  • be in motion due to some air or water current(verb.motion)
    Example:
    The boat drifted on the lake.
    The sailboat was adrift on the open sea.
    The shipwrecked boat drifted away from the shore.
    Synonym:
    be adrift, blow, float
    source: wordnet30
  • wander from a direct course or at random(verb.motion)
    Example:
    Don't drift from the set course.
    Synonym:
    err, stray
    source: wordnet30
  • move about aimlessly or without any destination, often in search of food or employment(verb.motion)
    Example:
    The laborers drift from one town to the next.
    Synonym:
    cast, ramble, range, roam, roll, rove, stray, swan, tramp, vagabond, wander
    source: wordnet30
  • vary or move from a fixed point or course(verb.stative)
    Example:
    Stock prices are drifting higher.
    source: wordnet30
  • live unhurriedly, irresponsibly, or freely(verb.stative)
    Example:
    My son drifted around for years in California before going to law school.
    Synonym:
    freewheel
    source: wordnet30
  • move in an unhurried fashion(verb.motion)
    Example:
    The unknown young man drifted among the invited guests.
    source: wordnet30
  • cause to be carried by a current(verb.motion)
    Example:
    Drift the boats downstream.
    source: wordnet30
  • drive slowly and far afield for grazing(verb.contact)
    Example:
    Drift the cattle herds westwards.
    source: wordnet30
  • be subject to fluctuation(verb.change)
    Example:
    The stock market drifted upward.
    source: wordnet30
  • be piled up in banks or heaps by the force of wind or a current(verb.change)
    Example:
    Snow drifting several feet high.
    Sand drifting like snow.
    source: wordnet30
  • To float or be driven along by, or as by, a current of water or air; as, the ship drifted astern; a raft drifted ashore; the balloon drifts slowly east.(verb)
    source: webster1913
  • To drive or carry, as currents do a floating body.(verb)
    source: webster1913
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