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- Dictionarydrift/drɪft/
verb
- 1. be carried slowly by a current of air or water: "the cabin cruiser started to drift downstream" Similar
- 2. (especially of snow or leaves) be blown into heaps by the wind: "fallen leaves were starting to drift in the gutters" Similar
noun
- 1. a continuous slow movement from one place to another: "there was a drift to the towns" Similar
- 2. the general intention or meaning of an argument or someone's remarks: "maybe I'm too close to the forest to see the trees, if you catch my drift" Similar
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DRIFT definition: 1. to move slowly, especially as a result of outside forces, with no control over direction: 2. in…. Learn more.
: something driven, propelled, or urged along or drawn together in a clump by or as if by a natural agency: such as. a. : wind-driven snow, rain, cloud, dust, or smoke usually at or near the ground surface. b (1) : a mass of matter (such as sand) deposited together by or as if by wind or water. (2) : a helter-skelter accumulation. c. : drove, flock
A drift is a movement away from somewhere or something, or a movement towards somewhere or something different. ...the drift towards the cities. American English : drift / ˈdrɪft /
the extent to which a vessel, aircraft, projectile, etc is driven off its course by adverse winds, tide, or current. a general tendency of surface ocean water to flow in the direction of the prevailing winds. North Atlantic Drift. a driving movement, force, or influence; impulse.
If you get my drift, you get the basic meaning of what I'm saying. Or, if you move around without a seeming fixed destination, you are said to drift — whether you're a snowflake or just a wanderer. Interestingly, the verb to drift can be used either approvingly or disapprovingly.
Oxford Collocations Dictionary. without purpose. [intransitive] (+ adv./prep.) to do something, happen or change without a particular plan or purpose. I didn't intend to be a teacher—I just drifted into it. He hasn't decided what to do yet—he's just drifting. The conversation drifted onto politics. We seem to be drifting away from the point.
To live or behave without a clear purpose or goal: drifted through his college years unable to decide on a career. 4. To have no continuing focus; stray: My attention drifted during the boring presentation. 5. To vary from or oscillate randomly about a fixed setting, position, or mode of operation. 6.
Jun 2, 2024 · mass of matter which has been driven or forced onward together in a body, or thrown together in a heap, etc. drove or flock. horizontal thrust or pressure of an arch or vault upon the abutments. collection of loose earth and rocks, or boulders, which have been distributed over large portions of the earth's surface.
noun. /drɪft/ slow movement. [singular, uncountable] a slow steady movement from one place to another; a slow change or development from one situation to another, especially to something bad. the drift of people away from rural areas into urban slums. attempts to halt the drift towards war. Extra Examples. Oxford Collocations Dictionary.
What does the noun drift mean? There are 39 meanings listed in OED's entry for the noun drift, four of which are labelled obsolete. See ‘Meaning & use’ for definitions, usage, and quotation evidence. drift has developed meanings and uses in subjects including.
