Definition of drift in English:

drift

verb drɪftdrɪft

[no object]

1Be carried slowly by a current of air or water.
the cabin cruiser started to drift downstream
figurative excited voices drifted down the hall
Example sentencesExamples
- It's not the first bit I've seen float by, but this one is drifting against the current.
- Once past this section of white water we began to drift downstream and came to a stone bridge crossing the deep valley of the river, reminding me of a rainbow.
- Wedge-tailed eagles drift in the air currents, and in the mornings the hills are alive with western grey kangaroos.
- The Maritime and Coastguard Agency said the 170-metre semi-submersible barge had since drifted into Norwegian waters.
- Perfect fly presentation is often ruined by drag - the current's unnatural tug on your fly as it drifts downstream - a problem the snake cast eliminates.
- Drift-diving in Britain means that the divers will be drifting with a current.
- And the ocean currents tend to drift westwards on the northern side.
- The smaller ship began to drift with the current downstream.
- Within minutes the aromas of a three-course Thai meal cooked on the double gas burner drifted across the waters.
- It drifts with the currents and pulsates to maintain position at the proper depths.
- Aided by the swift current, we drifted quietly downstream watching the rich assortment of wildlife along the way.
- One after another the tiny balls of bread fell, hit the water and drifted downstream.
- We drift with the current over one of his favourite yellow spots.
- There were lights of the fishermen out on the jetty beneath The Bluff - and there was a white shape drifting in the water close to the shore.
- We got up each day, put our boats in the water, and drifted down the river.
- There was a particular spot that I loved, on the bridge over the river, where ghostly whirls of mist drifted lazily over the water's surface.
- As we drift into the current, things suddenly get very quiet.
- I am looking forward to being in the open sea where I can use the sea anchor - a sort of parachute for water that ensures that you drift with the current, reducing the effect of the wind.
- As Tim and I drifted slowly downstream, we scrutinized every bird we saw.
- During the mission, our unattended football rolled into the water and drifted downstream.
Synonyms
be carried, be carried (away/along), be borne, be wafted
float, bob, move slowly, go with the current, coast, meander
1. 1.1with adverbial of direction Walk slowly, aimlessly, or casually.
  people began to drift away
  Example sentencesExamples
  Voices rose in an unhappy mutter, but the crowd began to drift away, and the sergeant walked over.
  I felt pretty useless, and began to drift around aimlessly, asking if anyone needed help.
  The new trainees drifted in different directions as they left the landing strip.
  She drifted closer, wanting to read it but fearing what it would say.
  The rebellion's leaders had been caught and swiftly brought to justice and the rioters began to drift back home to their apprenticeships and farms.
  He was 15 when the civil war ended, and a new and different kind of settler began to drift westward.
  Because they were civilians, their response to the order was neither prompt nor orderly, but the group did begin to drift that way.
  Slowly, the crowds began to drift away, some back to town, others into the forest.
  People applauded, held their prizes proudly to their chests and began to drift off home.
  Then he moved around, drifting from place to place, trying to memorize the ships myriad of corridors and rooms.
  Gradually though, people drifted away and we were left alone.
  People were drifting in, and Sky News was on everywhere.
  An unexpected monsoon shower delayed the proceedings, but everything started off with a bang after couples and groups began drifting in as the sky cleared.
  All week they didn't speak to each other while the others were about and they drifted off for walks on their own and Jed gave them plenty of opportunity to be together by leaving them behind a lot.
  There was only one other table in the restaurant when we first arrived, but as the evening progressed more people started drifting in.
  Finally, after 45 minutes, the audience now diminished as people drifted away, the machine spews out some outsize balls that bounce away on the wind.
  Four hundred odd people drifted in and out last week, and during this crazy summer, it's shaping up to be a welcome oasis of calm.
  There already was not enough light and people were drifting away.
  Even so, he strode to Lily's room, Sylvia drifting close behind.
2. 1.2with adverbial Move passively, aimlessly, or involuntarily into a certain situation or condition.
  I was drifting off to sleep
  Example sentencesExamples
  Dominic slowly began to drift away from his drinking problem, though he didn't lose it completely.
  He slid into the water deeper, slowly drifting off to sleep.
  Almost paradise, and all the bitterness that had been consuming my soul was slowly beginning to drift away.
  We have known each other for years but drifted apart when they moved out of our neighborhood.
  The echo of a soft knock found its way to Rose's ears as she slowly drifted awake.
  Although crying feels oddly satisfying, to unleash your anger and sadness, I began to drift off slowly into sleep.
  I began to drift in and out of consciousness and saw blue stars around my head.
  Eventually, I started to ‘wise up’ and began to drift away from him.
  Jamie had told him that often times patients in this condition would drift into a coma-like state.
  They both went to their next classes, but the day drifted by slowly.
  I slowly began to drift off to sleep, when the phone rang.
  I closed my eyes and slowly began drifting off to sleep, content that the candle would burn brightly one more day.
  She closed her eyes and slowly began to drift off to sleep.
  Everything slowly began to drift away but this time, instead of the nightmares the mysterious stranger that haunted my dreams greeted me.
  Slowly, the cat began to drift out of conciseness, not bothering to fight it.
  My head sunk slowly into the pillow, and I began to drift asleep.
  She held me closer as I began to drift slowly into sleep.
  And so the friendship slowly began to drift apart.
  As she sat with her hand cupping her chin, she wondered what was going to become of her and her father right before she drifted off into a dreamless sleep.
  She began to see blue and yellow dots, as she slowly began to drift out of consciousness.
  Synonyms
  wander, wander aimlessly, roam, rove, meander, stray, coast
  potter, dawdle, dally
  British informal mooch
  doze off, drop off, fall asleep, go to sleep
  informal nod off, go off, crash, crash out, flake out
3. 1.3 (of a person or their attention) digress or stray to another subject.
  I noticed my audience's attention drifting
  Example sentencesExamples
  When Fredi finally hung up she noticed that Kelly's attention had drifted, so she took this moment to watch her lover.
  A musician… my mind began to drift, or was it those beautiful blue eyes staring at me.
  I once again drifted off into a different plane, not paying attention to what was happening around me, never mind on the tennis court.
  The conversation drifted as they walked and shared the events of the day.
  His mind drifted away from the situation at hand as he allowed himself to feel the extent of her devotion.
  Experts are worried that attention would drift away from Asia where the virus is endemic.
  Your attention drifts away from the task at hand just as a car comes around the corner with its high beams on.
  As soon as somebody starts trying to prove something to me, something happens; - my attention drifts off and I have to wait until they stop before I can turn back and carry on the conversation.
  The latter is a typical song the band chooses to jam out live, but it was obvious much of the audience's attention was drifting after the first 10 minutes.
  Theo slowly began to drift off into another daydream about the life she wished she could have, the life of a popular girl that didn't have a care in the world.
  Her eyes slid closed and her mind began to drift outside of the walls.
  As they walked, their thoughts drifted back to Buddy.
  Why can't I hold your attention anymore, you're always drifting off on me.
  She paused and glanced at me as though to check that my attention hadn't drifted again.
  After a while, the boys drifted from the subject of math and started talking about other things.
  My sentence was way too long for him and his attention had drifted to a potential fight that was about to ensue near the entrance.
  Her mind slowly began to drift away from Rosetta, filling itself with questions.
  She fidgeted, her mind drifting back to her current dilemma.
  You could understand what kinds of offers motivate people, figure out why their attention drifts from one site to another, and anticipate what site they might go to next.
  When no longer captivated by what's on stage, the mind drifts involuntarily and temptation inevitably sets in to peek at your timepiece.
  Synonyms
  stray, digress, depart, diverge, veer, swerve, deviate, get sidetracked
  rare divagate
2(especially of snow or leaves) be blown into heaps by the wind.
fallen leaves start to drift in the gutters
Example sentencesExamples
- When it came to snow, it wasn't usually too bad if it just fell quietly without any wind behind it because, as everyone knows, it is the wind that causes snow to drift.
- Snow drifted lazily about us, and we were both coated in the white powder.
- Unless he organized his thoughts he would die here in the nighttime, the snow would drift over his body and only the dogs would know where to find him.
- It probably came because of the snow drifting past her window, and not out of his notice of anything wrong.
- As the game kicked off, winter threatened to intervene as snow drifted across the ground but fortunately it remained light.
- Woke up this morning and there was snow drifting a meter high out on the deck and in the garden, burying my optimistic seeds.
- Up to five inches of snow, drifting in the gale-force winds, was being forecast overnight along the East Coast.
- Some roads in the south-east of Scotland were blocked as snow drifted.
- I traipsed outside and cleared out about a foot of snow that had drifted into the dish.
- Fairly flying, he followed the fence along, watching for a place where the snow had drifted up high enough that he could step over the wires.
- I stare at the snow drifting outside my window, at the nearly deserted street below, trying not to think about anything.
- He turned the vehicle onto a dirt road drifted over with snow.
- Snow had already drifted up on Old Hank's truck and the white and red pickup he'd told her about was nearly covered.
- Fences placed above the starting zone can prevent snow from drifting into leeward basins, thus reducing drift loading.
- Meanwhile, skiers are looking with envy at the fresh snow which is still drifting in Athens.
- The snow had drifted on the ground, swelling up against trunks and rocks, and parchment thin beside the water.
- Outside, snow is drifting across the stable-yard.
- Morning sun glared off snow drifted up to a metre against the walls in places.
- The snow drifted around them, making the entire scene look unreal.
- And we got to the next exit down the road here and we went to pull off, and the snow had drifted up, and we were stranded there.
Synonyms
pile up, bank up, heap up, accumulate, gather, form heaps/drifts, amass

noun drɪftdrɪft

1in singular A continuous slow movement from one place to another.
there was a drift to the towns
Example sentencesExamples
- This drift of players from second division Stepps to top side Western has also included defender Kenny Miller, who is also a member of the first team squad.
- The second half is a mellow drift through a tunnel of cottonwood trees.
- The drift of the continents had sealed off the waters of the far arctic, as the northern margins of Asia and North America crowded together.
- The item on the finding in southern Scotland of the solitary wasp illustrates how climate change may be inducing a northward drift of some species of insects.
- The project has slowed down the drift toward the cities.
- Yet, in spite of historiographical shifts, and the steady drift of population to the cities, pastoral Australia retains a treasured place in the national imagination.
- The task is not an easy one, for the population drift to the cities, especially among young people, continues unabated.
- Over the past 30 years it has been used to reflect laser pulses back to observatories on Earth, making it possible to monitor the slow drift of the Moon away from our planet.
- Malton appointed a town centre manager and set out to raise the profile of its shopping centre two years ago because of an alarming drift of customers to supermarkets outside Scarborough and York.
- Nevertheless, it is clear that it is quite insufficient to keep up the farm population, stop the drift to the towns and the abandonment of marginal farms.
- The director's commentary explains that in the space scene, no cuts could be made without ruining the continuous drift of the backdrop.
- It was, however, growing around this time - from a figure perhaps as low as 1,600 in 1550-due mainly to a drift from the countryside to the town.
- There is also evidence of a drift towards the towns and cities where the bulk of the recent tourism investment has taken place, both in accommodation and facilities.
- That drift of dynastic Egypt from Africa has now dramatically slowed.
- His book provided no mechanism whereby the drift of continents could come about.
- Contrasting the abruptness of earthquakes is the slow drift of tectonic plates.
- The steady drift of learners from rural to urban areas has shifted the demand for teachers since the last provisioning exercise six years ago.
- The scheme is also regarded as a way of boosting town centre trade, by helping to halt the drift of shoppers to out-of-town retail centres, which often offer free or cheap parking.
- And within Australia there's still a steady drift north.
- Then as transport became more available there was a gradual drift to country schools on the periphery of the town.
Synonyms
movement, shift, flow, transfer, transferral, relocation, gravitation
1. 1.1mass noun The deviation of a vessel, aircraft, or projectile from its intended or expected course as the result of currents or winds.
  the pilot had not noticed any appreciable drift
  Example sentencesExamples
  By the time the plane and its crew reached the European coast, they had adjusted course to compensate for a 15-mile drift to the right.
  Significant wind drift can occur, and it's difficult to detect it at night.
  He said that he had detected forward drift and had put in what he perceived as enough aft cyclic to correct the problem, but the drift had continued.
  I felt my copilot initially increase right rudder, trying to stop the aircraft's left drift.
  I let the canoe drift with the current, trailing my paddle in the mocha-colored water.
  They require continuous updates from the visual sense to correct the drift errors in the other four inputs.
  In addition, compensation for wind drift based on visual cues on the ground becomes more difficult with increasing altitude.
  The speed of the craft varied, from a slow drift, to a speed so great that it is difficult to explain how this speed was achieved.
  He lost his ability to mentally calculate fuel loads and wind drift while me and my drugs stayed the course.
  If you have an electric outboard available, this too can be used to slow down a drift.
  We've got computer projections of drift according to the weather and charts which give us an approximation of survival times.
  Wind drift is a major factor and little appreciated.
  For this reason, all match ammunition is subsonic to reduce wind drift.
  It was still flat calm as I rowed out to fish on the drift, using my bank outfit.
  Synonyms
  deviation, digression, veering, straying
2. 1.2 A steady movement or development from one thing towards another that is perceived as unwelcome.
  the drift towards a more repressive style of policing
  Example sentencesExamples
  However, there is now a substantial body of opinion that the party needs to correct a drift to the left if it is to challenge the two main parties.
  In commenting, therefore, on a social drift in democracy, my first appeal is for an understanding of the complexity of the subject.
  The drift has shrunk the tax base and foisted ever-higher bills on citizens already paying the highest council tax in Scotland.
  The cartel then began a long drift towards the centre.
  The drift towards fiction has its compensations.
  The drift will further accelerate the decline of the public system.
  The '90s brought a slow drift from the arms of the Church, as secular materialism took hold.
  Britain can build bridges - and avoid a drift to war
  All I will say is that there has been a gradual drift in the legal position over the years as views have tended to move towards the liberal, and that this slow and creeping evolution is likely to continue.
  The drift is towards global business and financial consolidation.
  He has warned ministers to guard against a drift towards ‘a surveillance society’.
  Nevertheless, the drift toward protectionism did contribute to a new international atmosphere of conflict and tension.
  He worries also about the slow drift of journalism out of the public consciousness.
  This has resulted in a loss of focus and a drift towards multiple and contradictory objectives.
  With uncanny resemblance to his own political career, Napoleon ensured that the drift from left to right continued apace.
  His slow drift down in the polls might now accelerate.
  Oriented north toward the small town of Limbo, he meticulously fights off the slow drift to complacency within his platoon.
  In the 1980s and 1990s we were ill at ease and unable to get a hold on things as we faced a big black hole and a slow drift to oblivion.
  The only way for Democrats to reverse the slow rightward drift in constitutional law is by winning elections.
  If the drift downwards continues there would be a substantial erosion of pension funds in Ireland, he said.
3. 1.3mass noun A state of inaction or indecision.
  after so much drift, any expression of enthusiasm is welcome
  Example sentencesExamples
  After 10 years of indecision and drift, Britain cannot remain on hold for another five years.
  Ministers say they want to ‘see an end to the drift and lack of mission in further education and training’ and plan to introduce a raft of new measures to raise standards.
  Cohabitation is a continuing process of drift, lacking a sense of belonging.
  The parliamentary election was followed by three months of inactivity and drift in the summer of 1990.
4. 1.4Motorsports A controlled skid, used in taking bends at high speeds.
  Example sentencesExamples
  The car surges off the line and, sure enough, begins a slow drift to the left out of the well-defined groove.
  Instead of a drifter causing a drift and then countering to straighten out, he will instead over-counter so his car goes into another drift.
  To perform a drift you require a certain amount of instinct and a great deal of practice.
2in singular 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
he didn't understand much Greek, but he got her drift
Example sentencesExamples
- By the time she comes back we forget what we were discussing and the drift of the conversation is lost.
- Yet, this apart, you can see the drift of the argument.
- Some experienced industry observers disagree with the drift of this argument.
- He didn't mention 45-year-olds but I think I got his drift.
- People who know me will know the general drift of my thoughts and the intensity of my feelings on disasters, whether they be personal, natural or man-made.
- It wasn't noticeable, but I think he got my drift and put his arm around me.
- He looked across at Gianni, who seemed to be getting the drift of the conversation.
- She doesn't quote the great biblical injunction ‘to do justice but to love mercy’, but that is the general drift.
- Brooke asked in reply to his sudden movement; could she not catch the drift?
- I suspect many posters on this board are deliberately misunderstanding the general drift of the main article.
- It's a long time since I read it, but that seemed to be the general drift.
- You get the general drift of all that, don't you?
- And that message - or at least its general drift - has been delivered in musicals for a good long time.
- Eric was rapidly getting the drift of the conversation and trying to phrase a polite refusal in his mind.
- I'm not too sure you got the drift of the Governor General's dilemma.
- No doubt there are lots more but you get the drift.
- Well, I get the general drift of it - it has some familiar themes - but some references are puzzling.
- I want to put a little humor in this one, but I have no sense of humor whatsoever, so… you get the drift.
- To continue the debate, I feel the drift of this conversation is that Ken has the old world traditional values at heart and represents the majority.
- He got my drift and went to sit on a beanbag chair.
Synonyms
gist, essence, core, meaning, sense, thesis, substance, significance, signification
thrust, import, purport, tenor, vein, spirit
implication, intention, direction, course, tendency, trend
3A large mass of snow, leaves, or other material piled up or carried along by the wind.
four sheep were dug out of the drift
Example sentencesExamples
- Along the edge of the lawn drifts and heaps of yellow leaves caught the first light, looking for all the world as if they'd grown there overnight.
- I crouched at the border of field and forest, hidden behind the snow-dusted skeleton of a bush and a drift banked against a fallen trunk.
- The region lacks prominent landmarks, and the raised beaches are sandy and subject to wind erosion and sand drift.
- For the first week, Emma paced at night and watched a late snow curl in drifts around the mailbox at the corner and the lamppost beneath her window.
- This evening, trudging along through the drifts of ripped leaves and shed blossom I could smell smoke on the air.
- The wind howled behind them and swept a drift of snow through the doorway with them.
- Out of the office window I see snow, thick drifts bearing the marks of a brave skier gliding down.
- Fierce blizzards could blow in suddenly, bringing heavy snow that strong winds heaped into deep drifts.
- The ground was covered with melting snow, drifts and banks still sat on the sidewalk covering the sign posts more than half-way high.
- The wind picks up, stirring the drifts until the snow looks like it's falling upward.
- We wanted to dive into the massive drifts of drying leaves, blown or swept high against walls and in gutters.
- They had, then, to anchor the pylons supporting the cables on rocks frozen under deep drifts of snow, working in freezing temperatures, buffeted by needle sharp winds.
- When I went for my walk this afternoon there was still no sign of snow, though the drifts of fallen May blossom along the hedge bottoms kept my mind on the topic.
- He rolled up his sleeve and reached into the drift, seconds later he produced a powdery pooch.
- The snow fell slowly and it piled into drifts everywhere, sparkling in the grey mist that hung low to the ground.
- I pulled my cloak a bit tighter as a gust of wind whipped powder snow from a nearby drift and swirled it around us in a chill flurry.
- I like trudging up the path through the drifts of dead leaves, too.
- The only bonus of my mistake was that the freezing air no longer seemed as cold as it had earlier, when I eventually crunched my way home through thigh-high drifts of snow, beneath a sky ablaze with the northern lights.
- The structure rested next to a steep slope, and snow was piled in thick drifts around it.
- For the first time in what seemed like years I heard actual rain drumming against the roof and washing snow from the streets and reducing drifts to icy piles of dirty slush.
Synonyms
pile, heap, bank, mound, mass, accumulation, dune, ridge
1. 3.1Geology mass noun Glacial and fluvioglacial deposits left by retreating ice sheets.
  Example sentencesExamples
  The rugged driftless area got its name because of early geologists' inability to find evidence of glacial drift.
  Because early geologists did not find recent glacial drift in the region, it became known as the Driftless Area.
  Much of their ground stone came from either glacial drift or outcrops of Dakota sandstone, both sources occurring to the east of the site.
  It can readily be modelled as a body of low density representing a valley fill of glacial drift.
  Furthermore, it is not always clear whether fossils from a given locality are from in situ rocks or from spoil or clasts in glacial drift.
2. 3.2 A large spread of flowering plants growing together.
  a drift of daffodils
  Example sentencesExamples
  Lady Rachel also injected a touch of informality to the somewhat formal layout by planting drifts of daffodils and allowing them to naturalise in the long grass.
  I found it hard to appreciate the differences between the many varieties, so I gave up and simply enjoyed the spectacle of huge drifts of green and white flowers indoors, in the centre of London!
  The sun illuminated a drift of orange-flowered trees on the far ridge.
  Some of the flowers are in drifts that spill down the steep slopes; others stand in large beds.
  Their choice has the backing of Cumbria Tourist Board, which has relaunched its daffodil telephone hotline to satisfy people's desire to see great drifts of daffodils growing wild in the Lakes.
  Like many other plants, the Pokers are best grown in large drifts if you can possibly afford the space.
  In place of lawn, Stratton planted native creeping grass; drifts of ‘Thalia’ daffodil bloom beneath the oaks.
  Plant in clusters or drifts, by plant type, or by flower and foliage color.
  Next day, about noon, our rail pass took us through flat countryside, the low fields broken by stands of trees and drifts of yellow broom along the tracks, to Norwich.
  Since it self-seeds, just a few plants will eventually give rise to a nice drift.
  It is best grown in drifts in a semi-shaded spot beneath trees and shrubs and a fertile, well-drained soil is essential.
  Below the trailing sweeps, violets and daffodils and drifts of yellow, blue and white crocus came forth in Spring and later tulips, grape hyacinth and other like bulbs kept the willow company.
  They make an excellent ground cover for shady areas of the garden and give a wonderful show when grouped together in large drifts.
  I can visualize a wide flower bed planted with C. rosea in drifts, mixed with a host of other colors for a more casual garden look.
4Mining
A horizontal or inclined passage following a mineral vein or coal seam.
the drift led to another smaller ore chamber
Example sentencesExamples
- In recent years more of these nodules have been collected from the mine dump and a drift in the mine.
- The workings consist of three adits with 3,300 feet of drifts, raises, and crosscuts.
- From this level a number of drifts and underground shafts worked the vein at levels from the Five Yard Limestone.
- We explored the areas that were not being mined, including miles of old abandoned drifts and stopes.
- In subsurface ore mining, headings are driven into new ground, level drifts follow the ore, level crosscuts connect drifts, and vertical or inclined raises connect the workings from level to level.
5British historical An act of driving cattle or sheep.
Example sentencesExamples
- It was a cattle drift between the Table Valley settlement and the interior.
1. 5.1 An act of herding cattle within a forest to a particular place on an appointed day in order to determine ownership or to levy fines.
6South African A ford.
Example sentencesExamples
- Namibia Construction is building an 800 metre bridge which will elevate the road above the two drifts that have caused wash-outs in past rainy seasons.
- All was quiet for half an hour, till we crossed the drift.
- At about 07:30, just after the troops had crossed the drift, they formed a hollow square formation comprising 4156 whites and 1152 blacks.
Synonyms
crossing place, crossing, causeway

Phrasal Verbs

drift apart

(of two or more people) gradually become less intimate or friendly.
Lewis and his father drifted apart
Example sentencesExamples
- I don't know what happened, I guess in the long trek through my ever changing moods we sort of drifted apart.
- In an exclusive interview, the Afghan President Hamid Karzai shows us what's making America's allies drift apart.
- Over the years, however, they drifted apart.
- There is no grim diagnosis of their relationship, no claim they had drifted apart, no mention of divorce.
- They graduated in 1948, then quickly drifted apart.
- They may even lead to the couple drifting apart.
- The couple, expecting their decree nisi next month, have drifted apart in recent months.
- Most of us, even with every communication option possible, drift apart from friends.
- They demonstrate just how far the old allies have drifted apart.
- Twenty-five years later, the three friends have drifted apart.

Derivatives

drifty

adjectivedriftiest, driftier

I've got to make a couple of very hard decisions on a daily basis instead of taking the easy drifty way out.
Example sentencesExamples
- ‘Yeah, I guess… ‘her voice had that drifty sound like that wasn't enough.
- According to an economist at Tokyo University, the drifty lives of parasite singles are indeed a by-product of increased longevity, mainly because longer-lived seniors are holding on to their jobs.
- At least he was amused and not annoyed - I guess I must've been pretty drifty, so I spent my last period making the librarians wonder why they hadn't become sewage workers or something instead.
- The wafting incense smell made my head go drifty.

Origin

Middle English (in the sense 'mass of snow, leaves, etc.'): originally from Old Norse drift 'snowdrift, something driven'; in later use from Middle Dutch drift 'course, current', and (in sense 6 of the noun) South African Dutch drift 'ford'; related to drive.

Rhymes

adrift, gift, grift, lift, rift, shift, shrift, sift, squiffed, swift, thrift, uplift

Definition of drift in US English:

drift

verbdriftdrɪft

[no object]

1Be carried slowly by a current of air or water.
the cabin cruiser started to drift downstream
figurative excited voices drifted down the hall
Example sentencesExamples
- Once past this section of white water we began to drift downstream and came to a stone bridge crossing the deep valley of the river, reminding me of a rainbow.
- The Maritime and Coastguard Agency said the 170-metre semi-submersible barge had since drifted into Norwegian waters.
- We got up each day, put our boats in the water, and drifted down the river.
- It's not the first bit I've seen float by, but this one is drifting against the current.
- We drift with the current over one of his favourite yellow spots.
- It drifts with the currents and pulsates to maintain position at the proper depths.
- There was a particular spot that I loved, on the bridge over the river, where ghostly whirls of mist drifted lazily over the water's surface.
- During the mission, our unattended football rolled into the water and drifted downstream.
- One after another the tiny balls of bread fell, hit the water and drifted downstream.
- Aided by the swift current, we drifted quietly downstream watching the rich assortment of wildlife along the way.
- I am looking forward to being in the open sea where I can use the sea anchor - a sort of parachute for water that ensures that you drift with the current, reducing the effect of the wind.
- The smaller ship began to drift with the current downstream.
- As Tim and I drifted slowly downstream, we scrutinized every bird we saw.
- Perfect fly presentation is often ruined by drag - the current's unnatural tug on your fly as it drifts downstream - a problem the snake cast eliminates.
- There were lights of the fishermen out on the jetty beneath The Bluff - and there was a white shape drifting in the water close to the shore.
- Wedge-tailed eagles drift in the air currents, and in the mornings the hills are alive with western grey kangaroos.
- As we drift into the current, things suddenly get very quiet.
- And the ocean currents tend to drift westwards on the northern side.
- Drift-diving in Britain means that the divers will be drifting with a current.
- Within minutes the aromas of a three-course Thai meal cooked on the double gas burner drifted across the waters.
Synonyms
be carried, be carried along, be carried away, be borne, be wafted
1. 1.1with adverbial of direction (of a person) walk slowly, aimlessly, or casually.
  people began to drift away
  Example sentencesExamples
  Even so, he strode to Lily's room, Sylvia drifting close behind.
  Then he moved around, drifting from place to place, trying to memorize the ships myriad of corridors and rooms.
  There was only one other table in the restaurant when we first arrived, but as the evening progressed more people started drifting in.
  Slowly, the crowds began to drift away, some back to town, others into the forest.
  All week they didn't speak to each other while the others were about and they drifted off for walks on their own and Jed gave them plenty of opportunity to be together by leaving them behind a lot.
  The new trainees drifted in different directions as they left the landing strip.
  Voices rose in an unhappy mutter, but the crowd began to drift away, and the sergeant walked over.
  She drifted closer, wanting to read it but fearing what it would say.
  Four hundred odd people drifted in and out last week, and during this crazy summer, it's shaping up to be a welcome oasis of calm.
  Finally, after 45 minutes, the audience now diminished as people drifted away, the machine spews out some outsize balls that bounce away on the wind.
  Because they were civilians, their response to the order was neither prompt nor orderly, but the group did begin to drift that way.
  Gradually though, people drifted away and we were left alone.
  The rebellion's leaders had been caught and swiftly brought to justice and the rioters began to drift back home to their apprenticeships and farms.
  There already was not enough light and people were drifting away.
  People applauded, held their prizes proudly to their chests and began to drift off home.
  An unexpected monsoon shower delayed the proceedings, but everything started off with a bang after couples and groups began drifting in as the sky cleared.
  People were drifting in, and Sky News was on everywhere.
  I felt pretty useless, and began to drift around aimlessly, asking if anyone needed help.
  He was 15 when the civil war ended, and a new and different kind of settler began to drift westward.
2. 1.2with adverbial Move passively, aimlessly, or involuntarily into a certain situation or condition.
  I was drifting off to sleep
  Lewis and his father drifted apart
  Example sentencesExamples
  And so the friendship slowly began to drift apart.
  Everything slowly began to drift away but this time, instead of the nightmares the mysterious stranger that haunted my dreams greeted me.
  Although crying feels oddly satisfying, to unleash your anger and sadness, I began to drift off slowly into sleep.
  Slowly, the cat began to drift out of conciseness, not bothering to fight it.
  I began to drift in and out of consciousness and saw blue stars around my head.
  As she sat with her hand cupping her chin, she wondered what was going to become of her and her father right before she drifted off into a dreamless sleep.
  She began to see blue and yellow dots, as she slowly began to drift out of consciousness.
  They both went to their next classes, but the day drifted by slowly.
  We have known each other for years but drifted apart when they moved out of our neighborhood.
  Eventually, I started to ‘wise up’ and began to drift away from him.
  He slid into the water deeper, slowly drifting off to sleep.
  She closed her eyes and slowly began to drift off to sleep.
  Dominic slowly began to drift away from his drinking problem, though he didn't lose it completely.
  Almost paradise, and all the bitterness that had been consuming my soul was slowly beginning to drift away.
  Jamie had told him that often times patients in this condition would drift into a coma-like state.
  The echo of a soft knock found its way to Rose's ears as she slowly drifted awake.
  I closed my eyes and slowly began drifting off to sleep, content that the candle would burn brightly one more day.
  My head sunk slowly into the pillow, and I began to drift asleep.
  She held me closer as I began to drift slowly into sleep.
  I slowly began to drift off to sleep, when the phone rang.
  Synonyms
  doze off, drop off, fall asleep, go to sleep
  wander, wander aimlessly, roam, rove, meander, stray, coast
3. 1.3 (of a person or their attention) digress or stray to another subject.
  I noticed my audience's attention drifting
  Example sentencesExamples
  Why can't I hold your attention anymore, you're always drifting off on me.
  I once again drifted off into a different plane, not paying attention to what was happening around me, never mind on the tennis court.
  Experts are worried that attention would drift away from Asia where the virus is endemic.
  Theo slowly began to drift off into another daydream about the life she wished she could have, the life of a popular girl that didn't have a care in the world.
  The conversation drifted as they walked and shared the events of the day.
  Her mind slowly began to drift away from Rosetta, filling itself with questions.
  A musician… my mind began to drift, or was it those beautiful blue eyes staring at me.
  His mind drifted away from the situation at hand as he allowed himself to feel the extent of her devotion.
  My sentence was way too long for him and his attention had drifted to a potential fight that was about to ensue near the entrance.
  As soon as somebody starts trying to prove something to me, something happens; - my attention drifts off and I have to wait until they stop before I can turn back and carry on the conversation.
  The latter is a typical song the band chooses to jam out live, but it was obvious much of the audience's attention was drifting after the first 10 minutes.
  She paused and glanced at me as though to check that my attention hadn't drifted again.
  As they walked, their thoughts drifted back to Buddy.
  Your attention drifts away from the task at hand just as a car comes around the corner with its high beams on.
  After a while, the boys drifted from the subject of math and started talking about other things.
  Her eyes slid closed and her mind began to drift outside of the walls.
  You could understand what kinds of offers motivate people, figure out why their attention drifts from one site to another, and anticipate what site they might go to next.
  When Fredi finally hung up she noticed that Kelly's attention had drifted, so she took this moment to watch her lover.
  She fidgeted, her mind drifting back to her current dilemma.
  When no longer captivated by what's on stage, the mind drifts involuntarily and temptation inevitably sets in to peek at your timepiece.
  Synonyms
  stray, digress, depart, diverge, veer, swerve, deviate, get sidetracked
2(especially of snow or leaves) be blown into heaps by the wind.
fallen leaves start to drift in the gutters
Example sentencesExamples
- I stare at the snow drifting outside my window, at the nearly deserted street below, trying not to think about anything.
- When it came to snow, it wasn't usually too bad if it just fell quietly without any wind behind it because, as everyone knows, it is the wind that causes snow to drift.
- Snow had already drifted up on Old Hank's truck and the white and red pickup he'd told her about was nearly covered.
- I traipsed outside and cleared out about a foot of snow that had drifted into the dish.
- As the game kicked off, winter threatened to intervene as snow drifted across the ground but fortunately it remained light.
- Outside, snow is drifting across the stable-yard.
- Meanwhile, skiers are looking with envy at the fresh snow which is still drifting in Athens.
- It probably came because of the snow drifting past her window, and not out of his notice of anything wrong.
- Fences placed above the starting zone can prevent snow from drifting into leeward basins, thus reducing drift loading.
- The snow drifted around them, making the entire scene look unreal.
- The snow had drifted on the ground, swelling up against trunks and rocks, and parchment thin beside the water.
- Fairly flying, he followed the fence along, watching for a place where the snow had drifted up high enough that he could step over the wires.
- Morning sun glared off snow drifted up to a metre against the walls in places.
- Snow drifted lazily about us, and we were both coated in the white powder.
- And we got to the next exit down the road here and we went to pull off, and the snow had drifted up, and we were stranded there.
- Some roads in the south-east of Scotland were blocked as snow drifted.
- He turned the vehicle onto a dirt road drifted over with snow.
- Unless he organized his thoughts he would die here in the nighttime, the snow would drift over his body and only the dogs would know where to find him.
- Woke up this morning and there was snow drifting a meter high out on the deck and in the garden, burying my optimistic seeds.
- Up to five inches of snow, drifting in the gale-force winds, was being forecast overnight along the East Coast.
Synonyms
pile up, bank up, heap up, accumulate, gather, form drifts, form heaps, amass

noundriftdrɪft

1in singular A continuous slow movement from one place to another.
there was a drift to the towns
Example sentencesExamples
- The second half is a mellow drift through a tunnel of cottonwood trees.
- His book provided no mechanism whereby the drift of continents could come about.
- Malton appointed a town centre manager and set out to raise the profile of its shopping centre two years ago because of an alarming drift of customers to supermarkets outside Scarborough and York.
- This drift of players from second division Stepps to top side Western has also included defender Kenny Miller, who is also a member of the first team squad.
- It was, however, growing around this time - from a figure perhaps as low as 1,600 in 1550-due mainly to a drift from the countryside to the town.
- Yet, in spite of historiographical shifts, and the steady drift of population to the cities, pastoral Australia retains a treasured place in the national imagination.
- And within Australia there's still a steady drift north.
- The director's commentary explains that in the space scene, no cuts could be made without ruining the continuous drift of the backdrop.
- The task is not an easy one, for the population drift to the cities, especially among young people, continues unabated.
- The project has slowed down the drift toward the cities.
- Nevertheless, it is clear that it is quite insufficient to keep up the farm population, stop the drift to the towns and the abandonment of marginal farms.
- Over the past 30 years it has been used to reflect laser pulses back to observatories on Earth, making it possible to monitor the slow drift of the Moon away from our planet.
- Then as transport became more available there was a gradual drift to country schools on the periphery of the town.
- That drift of dynastic Egypt from Africa has now dramatically slowed.
- Contrasting the abruptness of earthquakes is the slow drift of tectonic plates.
- The scheme is also regarded as a way of boosting town centre trade, by helping to halt the drift of shoppers to out-of-town retail centres, which often offer free or cheap parking.
- The steady drift of learners from rural to urban areas has shifted the demand for teachers since the last provisioning exercise six years ago.
- The drift of the continents had sealed off the waters of the far arctic, as the northern margins of Asia and North America crowded together.
- The item on the finding in southern Scotland of the solitary wasp illustrates how climate change may be inducing a northward drift of some species of insects.
- There is also evidence of a drift towards the towns and cities where the bulk of the recent tourism investment has taken place, both in accommodation and facilities.
Synonyms
movement, shift, flow, transfer, transferral, relocation, gravitation
1. 1.1 The deviation of a vessel, aircraft, or projectile from its intended or expected course as the result of currents or winds.
  the pilot had not noticed any appreciable drift
  Example sentencesExamples
  I let the canoe drift with the current, trailing my paddle in the mocha-colored water.
  He said that he had detected forward drift and had put in what he perceived as enough aft cyclic to correct the problem, but the drift had continued.
  If you have an electric outboard available, this too can be used to slow down a drift.
  In addition, compensation for wind drift based on visual cues on the ground becomes more difficult with increasing altitude.
  I felt my copilot initially increase right rudder, trying to stop the aircraft's left drift.
  They require continuous updates from the visual sense to correct the drift errors in the other four inputs.
  By the time the plane and its crew reached the European coast, they had adjusted course to compensate for a 15-mile drift to the right.
  We've got computer projections of drift according to the weather and charts which give us an approximation of survival times.
  Wind drift is a major factor and little appreciated.
  Significant wind drift can occur, and it's difficult to detect it at night.
  He lost his ability to mentally calculate fuel loads and wind drift while me and my drugs stayed the course.
  The speed of the craft varied, from a slow drift, to a speed so great that it is difficult to explain how this speed was achieved.
  For this reason, all match ammunition is subsonic to reduce wind drift.
  It was still flat calm as I rowed out to fish on the drift, using my bank outfit.
  Synonyms
  deviation, digression, veering, straying
2. 1.2 A steady movement or development from one thing toward another that is perceived as unwelcome.
  the drift toward a more repressive style of policing
  Example sentencesExamples
  In commenting, therefore, on a social drift in democracy, my first appeal is for an understanding of the complexity of the subject.
  This has resulted in a loss of focus and a drift towards multiple and contradictory objectives.
  All I will say is that there has been a gradual drift in the legal position over the years as views have tended to move towards the liberal, and that this slow and creeping evolution is likely to continue.
  The drift will further accelerate the decline of the public system.
  The drift towards fiction has its compensations.
  However, there is now a substantial body of opinion that the party needs to correct a drift to the left if it is to challenge the two main parties.
  The '90s brought a slow drift from the arms of the Church, as secular materialism took hold.
  In the 1980s and 1990s we were ill at ease and unable to get a hold on things as we faced a big black hole and a slow drift to oblivion.
  The only way for Democrats to reverse the slow rightward drift in constitutional law is by winning elections.
  He worries also about the slow drift of journalism out of the public consciousness.
  With uncanny resemblance to his own political career, Napoleon ensured that the drift from left to right continued apace.
  He has warned ministers to guard against a drift towards ‘a surveillance society’.
  The cartel then began a long drift towards the centre.
  The drift is towards global business and financial consolidation.
  His slow drift down in the polls might now accelerate.
  Nevertheless, the drift toward protectionism did contribute to a new international atmosphere of conflict and tension.
  If the drift downwards continues there would be a substantial erosion of pension funds in Ireland, he said.
  Oriented north toward the small town of Limbo, he meticulously fights off the slow drift to complacency within his platoon.
  Britain can build bridges - and avoid a drift to war
  The drift has shrunk the tax base and foisted ever-higher bills on citizens already paying the highest council tax in Scotland.
3. 1.3 A state of inaction or indecision.
  after so much drift, any expression of enthusiasm is welcome
  Example sentencesExamples
  Ministers say they want to ‘see an end to the drift and lack of mission in further education and training’ and plan to introduce a raft of new measures to raise standards.
  Cohabitation is a continuing process of drift, lacking a sense of belonging.
  After 10 years of indecision and drift, Britain cannot remain on hold for another five years.
  The parliamentary election was followed by three months of inactivity and drift in the summer of 1990.
2in singular 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
he didn't understand much Greek, but he got her drift
Example sentencesExamples
- Yet, this apart, you can see the drift of the argument.
- She doesn't quote the great biblical injunction ‘to do justice but to love mercy’, but that is the general drift.
- I want to put a little humor in this one, but I have no sense of humor whatsoever, so… you get the drift.
- He got my drift and went to sit on a beanbag chair.
- He didn't mention 45-year-olds but I think I got his drift.
- I suspect many posters on this board are deliberately misunderstanding the general drift of the main article.
- Some experienced industry observers disagree with the drift of this argument.
- Brooke asked in reply to his sudden movement; could she not catch the drift?
- Well, I get the general drift of it - it has some familiar themes - but some references are puzzling.
- You get the general drift of all that, don't you?
- By the time she comes back we forget what we were discussing and the drift of the conversation is lost.
- He looked across at Gianni, who seemed to be getting the drift of the conversation.
- No doubt there are lots more but you get the drift.
- To continue the debate, I feel the drift of this conversation is that Ken has the old world traditional values at heart and represents the majority.
- I'm not too sure you got the drift of the Governor General's dilemma.
- It wasn't noticeable, but I think he got my drift and put his arm around me.
- People who know me will know the general drift of my thoughts and the intensity of my feelings on disasters, whether they be personal, natural or man-made.
- Eric was rapidly getting the drift of the conversation and trying to phrase a polite refusal in his mind.
- And that message - or at least its general drift - has been delivered in musicals for a good long time.
- It's a long time since I read it, but that seemed to be the general drift.
Synonyms
gist, essence, core, meaning, sense, thesis, substance, significance, signification
3A large mass of snow, leaves, or other material piled up or carried along by the wind.
Example sentencesExamples
- The snow fell slowly and it piled into drifts everywhere, sparkling in the grey mist that hung low to the ground.
- Out of the office window I see snow, thick drifts bearing the marks of a brave skier gliding down.
- We wanted to dive into the massive drifts of drying leaves, blown or swept high against walls and in gutters.
- The structure rested next to a steep slope, and snow was piled in thick drifts around it.
- The only bonus of my mistake was that the freezing air no longer seemed as cold as it had earlier, when I eventually crunched my way home through thigh-high drifts of snow, beneath a sky ablaze with the northern lights.
- When I went for my walk this afternoon there was still no sign of snow, though the drifts of fallen May blossom along the hedge bottoms kept my mind on the topic.
- He rolled up his sleeve and reached into the drift, seconds later he produced a powdery pooch.
- For the first week, Emma paced at night and watched a late snow curl in drifts around the mailbox at the corner and the lamppost beneath her window.
- Along the edge of the lawn drifts and heaps of yellow leaves caught the first light, looking for all the world as if they'd grown there overnight.
- I like trudging up the path through the drifts of dead leaves, too.
- They had, then, to anchor the pylons supporting the cables on rocks frozen under deep drifts of snow, working in freezing temperatures, buffeted by needle sharp winds.
- The ground was covered with melting snow, drifts and banks still sat on the sidewalk covering the sign posts more than half-way high.
- Fierce blizzards could blow in suddenly, bringing heavy snow that strong winds heaped into deep drifts.
- For the first time in what seemed like years I heard actual rain drumming against the roof and washing snow from the streets and reducing drifts to icy piles of dirty slush.
- The region lacks prominent landmarks, and the raised beaches are sandy and subject to wind erosion and sand drift.
- This evening, trudging along through the drifts of ripped leaves and shed blossom I could smell smoke on the air.
- I crouched at the border of field and forest, hidden behind the snow-dusted skeleton of a bush and a drift banked against a fallen trunk.
- The wind howled behind them and swept a drift of snow through the doorway with them.
- I pulled my cloak a bit tighter as a gust of wind whipped powder snow from a nearby drift and swirled it around us in a chill flurry.
- The wind picks up, stirring the drifts until the snow looks like it's falling upward.
Synonyms
pile, heap, bank, mound, mass, accumulation, dune, ridge
1. 3.1Geology Glacial and fluvioglacial deposits left by retreating ice sheets.
  Example sentencesExamples
  Much of their ground stone came from either glacial drift or outcrops of Dakota sandstone, both sources occurring to the east of the site.
  Because early geologists did not find recent glacial drift in the region, it became known as the Driftless Area.
  It can readily be modelled as a body of low density representing a valley fill of glacial drift.
  The rugged driftless area got its name because of early geologists' inability to find evidence of glacial drift.
  Furthermore, it is not always clear whether fossils from a given locality are from in situ rocks or from spoil or clasts in glacial drift.
2. 3.2 A large mass of flowering plants growing together.
  a drift of daffodils
  Example sentencesExamples
  It is best grown in drifts in a semi-shaded spot beneath trees and shrubs and a fertile, well-drained soil is essential.
  They make an excellent ground cover for shady areas of the garden and give a wonderful show when grouped together in large drifts.
  I found it hard to appreciate the differences between the many varieties, so I gave up and simply enjoyed the spectacle of huge drifts of green and white flowers indoors, in the centre of London!
  The sun illuminated a drift of orange-flowered trees on the far ridge.
  Below the trailing sweeps, violets and daffodils and drifts of yellow, blue and white crocus came forth in Spring and later tulips, grape hyacinth and other like bulbs kept the willow company.
  Next day, about noon, our rail pass took us through flat countryside, the low fields broken by stands of trees and drifts of yellow broom along the tracks, to Norwich.
  Plant in clusters or drifts, by plant type, or by flower and foliage color.
  Some of the flowers are in drifts that spill down the steep slopes; others stand in large beds.
  In place of lawn, Stratton planted native creeping grass; drifts of ‘Thalia’ daffodil bloom beneath the oaks.
  Lady Rachel also injected a touch of informality to the somewhat formal layout by planting drifts of daffodils and allowing them to naturalise in the long grass.
  I can visualize a wide flower bed planted with C. rosea in drifts, mixed with a host of other colors for a more casual garden look.
  Like many other plants, the Pokers are best grown in large drifts if you can possibly afford the space.
  Since it self-seeds, just a few plants will eventually give rise to a nice drift.
  Their choice has the backing of Cumbria Tourist Board, which has relaunched its daffodil telephone hotline to satisfy people's desire to see great drifts of daffodils growing wild in the Lakes.
4Mining
A horizontal or inclined passage following a mineral vein or coal seam.
Example sentencesExamples
- From this level a number of drifts and underground shafts worked the vein at levels from the Five Yard Limestone.
- In subsurface ore mining, headings are driven into new ground, level drifts follow the ore, level crosscuts connect drifts, and vertical or inclined raises connect the workings from level to level.
- In recent years more of these nodules have been collected from the mine dump and a drift in the mine.
- We explored the areas that were not being mined, including miles of old abandoned drifts and stopes.
- The workings consist of three adits with 3,300 feet of drifts, raises, and crosscuts.

Origin

Middle English (in the sense ‘mass of snow, leaves, etc.’): originally from Old Norse drift ‘snowdrift, something driven’; in later use from Middle Dutch drift ‘course, current’, and (in drift (sense 6 of the noun)) South African Dutch drift ‘ford’; related to drive.

单词	drift
释义	Definition of drift in English: drift verb drɪftdrɪft [no object] 1Be carried slowly by a current of air or water. the cabin cruiser started to drift downstream figurative excited voices drifted down the hall Example sentencesExamples It's not the first bit I've seen float by, but this one is drifting against the current. Once past this section of white water we began to drift downstream and came to a stone bridge crossing the deep valley of the river, reminding me of a rainbow. Wedge-tailed eagles drift in the air currents, and in the mornings the hills are alive with western grey kangaroos. The Maritime and Coastguard Agency said the 170-metre semi-submersible barge had since drifted into Norwegian waters. Perfect fly presentation is often ruined by drag - the current's unnatural tug on your fly as it drifts downstream - a problem the snake cast eliminates. Drift-diving in Britain means that the divers will be drifting with a current. And the ocean currents tend to drift westwards on the northern side. The smaller ship began to drift with the current downstream. Within minutes the aromas of a three-course Thai meal cooked on the double gas burner drifted across the waters. It drifts with the currents and pulsates to maintain position at the proper depths. Aided by the swift current, we drifted quietly downstream watching the rich assortment of wildlife along the way. One after another the tiny balls of bread fell, hit the water and drifted downstream. We drift with the current over one of his favourite yellow spots. There were lights of the fishermen out on the jetty beneath The Bluff - and there was a white shape drifting in the water close to the shore. We got up each day, put our boats in the water, and drifted down the river. There was a particular spot that I loved, on the bridge over the river, where ghostly whirls of mist drifted lazily over the water's surface. As we drift into the current, things suddenly get very quiet. I am looking forward to being in the open sea where I can use the sea anchor - a sort of parachute for water that ensures that you drift with the current, reducing the effect of the wind. As Tim and I drifted slowly downstream, we scrutinized every bird we saw. During the mission, our unattended football rolled into the water and drifted downstream. Synonyms be carried, be carried (away/along), be borne, be wafted float, bob, move slowly, go with the current, coast, meander 1.1with adverbial of direction Walk slowly, aimlessly, or casually. people began to drift away Example sentencesExamples Voices rose in an unhappy mutter, but the crowd began to drift away, and the sergeant walked over. I felt pretty useless, and began to drift around aimlessly, asking if anyone needed help. The new trainees drifted in different directions as they left the landing strip. She drifted closer, wanting to read it but fearing what it would say. The rebellion's leaders had been caught and swiftly brought to justice and the rioters began to drift back home to their apprenticeships and farms. He was 15 when the civil war ended, and a new and different kind of settler began to drift westward. Because they were civilians, their response to the order was neither prompt nor orderly, but the group did begin to drift that way. Slowly, the crowds began to drift away, some back to town, others into the forest. People applauded, held their prizes proudly to their chests and began to drift off home. Then he moved around, drifting from place to place, trying to memorize the ships myriad of corridors and rooms. Gradually though, people drifted away and we were left alone. People were drifting in, and Sky News was on everywhere. An unexpected monsoon shower delayed the proceedings, but everything started off with a bang after couples and groups began drifting in as the sky cleared. All week they didn't speak to each other while the others were about and they drifted off for walks on their own and Jed gave them plenty of opportunity to be together by leaving them behind a lot. There was only one other table in the restaurant when we first arrived, but as the evening progressed more people started drifting in. Finally, after 45 minutes, the audience now diminished as people drifted away, the machine spews out some outsize balls that bounce away on the wind. Four hundred odd people drifted in and out last week, and during this crazy summer, it's shaping up to be a welcome oasis of calm. There already was not enough light and people were drifting away. Even so, he strode to Lily's room, Sylvia drifting close behind. 1.2with adverbial Move passively, aimlessly, or involuntarily into a certain situation or condition. I was drifting off to sleep Example sentencesExamples Dominic slowly began to drift away from his drinking problem, though he didn't lose it completely. He slid into the water deeper, slowly drifting off to sleep. Almost paradise, and all the bitterness that had been consuming my soul was slowly beginning to drift away. We have known each other for years but drifted apart when they moved out of our neighborhood. The echo of a soft knock found its way to Rose's ears as she slowly drifted awake. Although crying feels oddly satisfying, to unleash your anger and sadness, I began to drift off slowly into sleep. I began to drift in and out of consciousness and saw blue stars around my head. Eventually, I started to ‘wise up’ and began to drift away from him. Jamie had told him that often times patients in this condition would drift into a coma-like state. They both went to their next classes, but the day drifted by slowly. I slowly began to drift off to sleep, when the phone rang. I closed my eyes and slowly began drifting off to sleep, content that the candle would burn brightly one more day. She closed her eyes and slowly began to drift off to sleep. Everything slowly began to drift away but this time, instead of the nightmares the mysterious stranger that haunted my dreams greeted me. Slowly, the cat began to drift out of conciseness, not bothering to fight it. My head sunk slowly into the pillow, and I began to drift asleep. She held me closer as I began to drift slowly into sleep. And so the friendship slowly began to drift apart. As she sat with her hand cupping her chin, she wondered what was going to become of her and her father right before she drifted off into a dreamless sleep. She began to see blue and yellow dots, as she slowly began to drift out of consciousness. Synonyms wander, wander aimlessly, roam, rove, meander, stray, coast potter, dawdle, dally British informal mooch doze off, drop off, fall asleep, go to sleep informal nod off, go off, crash, crash out, flake out 1.3 (of a person or their attention) digress or stray to another subject. I noticed my audience's attention drifting Example sentencesExamples When Fredi finally hung up she noticed that Kelly's attention had drifted, so she took this moment to watch her lover. A musician… my mind began to drift, or was it those beautiful blue eyes staring at me. I once again drifted off into a different plane, not paying attention to what was happening around me, never mind on the tennis court. The conversation drifted as they walked and shared the events of the day. His mind drifted away from the situation at hand as he allowed himself to feel the extent of her devotion. Experts are worried that attention would drift away from Asia where the virus is endemic. Your attention drifts away from the task at hand just as a car comes around the corner with its high beams on. As soon as somebody starts trying to prove something to me, something happens; - my attention drifts off and I have to wait until they stop before I can turn back and carry on the conversation. The latter is a typical song the band chooses to jam out live, but it was obvious much of the audience's attention was drifting after the first 10 minutes. Theo slowly began to drift off into another daydream about the life she wished she could have, the life of a popular girl that didn't have a care in the world. Her eyes slid closed and her mind began to drift outside of the walls. As they walked, their thoughts drifted back to Buddy. Why can't I hold your attention anymore, you're always drifting off on me. She paused and glanced at me as though to check that my attention hadn't drifted again. After a while, the boys drifted from the subject of math and started talking about other things. My sentence was way too long for him and his attention had drifted to a potential fight that was about to ensue near the entrance. Her mind slowly began to drift away from Rosetta, filling itself with questions. She fidgeted, her mind drifting back to her current dilemma. You could understand what kinds of offers motivate people, figure out why their attention drifts from one site to another, and anticipate what site they might go to next. When no longer captivated by what's on stage, the mind drifts involuntarily and temptation inevitably sets in to peek at your timepiece. Synonyms stray, digress, depart, diverge, veer, swerve, deviate, get sidetracked rare divagate 2(especially of snow or leaves) be blown into heaps by the wind. fallen leaves start to drift in the gutters Example sentencesExamples When it came to snow, it wasn't usually too bad if it just fell quietly without any wind behind it because, as everyone knows, it is the wind that causes snow to drift. Snow drifted lazily about us, and we were both coated in the white powder. Unless he organized his thoughts he would die here in the nighttime, the snow would drift over his body and only the dogs would know where to find him. It probably came because of the snow drifting past her window, and not out of his notice of anything wrong. As the game kicked off, winter threatened to intervene as snow drifted across the ground but fortunately it remained light. Woke up this morning and there was snow drifting a meter high out on the deck and in the garden, burying my optimistic seeds. Up to five inches of snow, drifting in the gale-force winds, was being forecast overnight along the East Coast. Some roads in the south-east of Scotland were blocked as snow drifted. I traipsed outside and cleared out about a foot of snow that had drifted into the dish. Fairly flying, he followed the fence along, watching for a place where the snow had drifted up high enough that he could step over the wires. I stare at the snow drifting outside my window, at the nearly deserted street below, trying not to think about anything. He turned the vehicle onto a dirt road drifted over with snow. Snow had already drifted up on Old Hank's truck and the white and red pickup he'd told her about was nearly covered. Fences placed above the starting zone can prevent snow from drifting into leeward basins, thus reducing drift loading. Meanwhile, skiers are looking with envy at the fresh snow which is still drifting in Athens. The snow had drifted on the ground, swelling up against trunks and rocks, and parchment thin beside the water. Outside, snow is drifting across the stable-yard. Morning sun glared off snow drifted up to a metre against the walls in places. The snow drifted around them, making the entire scene look unreal. And we got to the next exit down the road here and we went to pull off, and the snow had drifted up, and we were stranded there. Synonyms pile up, bank up, heap up, accumulate, gather, form heaps/drifts, amass noun drɪftdrɪft 1in singular A continuous slow movement from one place to another. there was a drift to the towns Example sentencesExamples This drift of players from second division Stepps to top side Western has also included defender Kenny Miller, who is also a member of the first team squad. The second half is a mellow drift through a tunnel of cottonwood trees. The drift of the continents had sealed off the waters of the far arctic, as the northern margins of Asia and North America crowded together. The item on the finding in southern Scotland of the solitary wasp illustrates how climate change may be inducing a northward drift of some species of insects. The project has slowed down the drift toward the cities. Yet, in spite of historiographical shifts, and the steady drift of population to the cities, pastoral Australia retains a treasured place in the national imagination. The task is not an easy one, for the population drift to the cities, especially among young people, continues unabated. Over the past 30 years it has been used to reflect laser pulses back to observatories on Earth, making it possible to monitor the slow drift of the Moon away from our planet. Malton appointed a town centre manager and set out to raise the profile of its shopping centre two years ago because of an alarming drift of customers to supermarkets outside Scarborough and York. Nevertheless, it is clear that it is quite insufficient to keep up the farm population, stop the drift to the towns and the abandonment of marginal farms. The director's commentary explains that in the space scene, no cuts could be made without ruining the continuous drift of the backdrop. It was, however, growing around this time - from a figure perhaps as low as 1,600 in 1550-due mainly to a drift from the countryside to the town. There is also evidence of a drift towards the towns and cities where the bulk of the recent tourism investment has taken place, both in accommodation and facilities. That drift of dynastic Egypt from Africa has now dramatically slowed. His book provided no mechanism whereby the drift of continents could come about. Contrasting the abruptness of earthquakes is the slow drift of tectonic plates. The steady drift of learners from rural to urban areas has shifted the demand for teachers since the last provisioning exercise six years ago. The scheme is also regarded as a way of boosting town centre trade, by helping to halt the drift of shoppers to out-of-town retail centres, which often offer free or cheap parking. And within Australia there's still a steady drift north. Then as transport became more available there was a gradual drift to country schools on the periphery of the town. Synonyms movement, shift, flow, transfer, transferral, relocation, gravitation 1.1mass noun The deviation of a vessel, aircraft, or projectile from its intended or expected course as the result of currents or winds. the pilot had not noticed any appreciable drift Example sentencesExamples By the time the plane and its crew reached the European coast, they had adjusted course to compensate for a 15-mile drift to the right. Significant wind drift can occur, and it's difficult to detect it at night. He said that he had detected forward drift and had put in what he perceived as enough aft cyclic to correct the problem, but the drift had continued. I felt my copilot initially increase right rudder, trying to stop the aircraft's left drift. I let the canoe drift with the current, trailing my paddle in the mocha-colored water. They require continuous updates from the visual sense to correct the drift errors in the other four inputs. In addition, compensation for wind drift based on visual cues on the ground becomes more difficult with increasing altitude. The speed of the craft varied, from a slow drift, to a speed so great that it is difficult to explain how this speed was achieved. He lost his ability to mentally calculate fuel loads and wind drift while me and my drugs stayed the course. If you have an electric outboard available, this too can be used to slow down a drift. We've got computer projections of drift according to the weather and charts which give us an approximation of survival times. Wind drift is a major factor and little appreciated. For this reason, all match ammunition is subsonic to reduce wind drift. It was still flat calm as I rowed out to fish on the drift, using my bank outfit. Synonyms deviation, digression, veering, straying 1.2 A steady movement or development from one thing towards another that is perceived as unwelcome. the drift towards a more repressive style of policing Example sentencesExamples However, there is now a substantial body of opinion that the party needs to correct a drift to the left if it is to challenge the two main parties. In commenting, therefore, on a social drift in democracy, my first appeal is for an understanding of the complexity of the subject. The drift has shrunk the tax base and foisted ever-higher bills on citizens already paying the highest council tax in Scotland. The cartel then began a long drift towards the centre. The drift towards fiction has its compensations. The drift will further accelerate the decline of the public system. The '90s brought a slow drift from the arms of the Church, as secular materialism took hold. Britain can build bridges - and avoid a drift to war All I will say is that there has been a gradual drift in the legal position over the years as views have tended to move towards the liberal, and that this slow and creeping evolution is likely to continue. The drift is towards global business and financial consolidation. He has warned ministers to guard against a drift towards ‘a surveillance society’. Nevertheless, the drift toward protectionism did contribute to a new international atmosphere of conflict and tension. He worries also about the slow drift of journalism out of the public consciousness. This has resulted in a loss of focus and a drift towards multiple and contradictory objectives. With uncanny resemblance to his own political career, Napoleon ensured that the drift from left to right continued apace. His slow drift down in the polls might now accelerate. Oriented north toward the small town of Limbo, he meticulously fights off the slow drift to complacency within his platoon. In the 1980s and 1990s we were ill at ease and unable to get a hold on things as we faced a big black hole and a slow drift to oblivion. The only way for Democrats to reverse the slow rightward drift in constitutional law is by winning elections. If the drift downwards continues there would be a substantial erosion of pension funds in Ireland, he said. 1.3mass noun A state of inaction or indecision. after so much drift, any expression of enthusiasm is welcome Example sentencesExamples After 10 years of indecision and drift, Britain cannot remain on hold for another five years. Ministers say they want to ‘see an end to the drift and lack of mission in further education and training’ and plan to introduce a raft of new measures to raise standards. Cohabitation is a continuing process of drift, lacking a sense of belonging. The parliamentary election was followed by three months of inactivity and drift in the summer of 1990. 1.4Motorsports A controlled skid, used in taking bends at high speeds. Example sentencesExamples The car surges off the line and, sure enough, begins a slow drift to the left out of the well-defined groove. Instead of a drifter causing a drift and then countering to straighten out, he will instead over-counter so his car goes into another drift. To perform a drift you require a certain amount of instinct and a great deal of practice. 2in singular 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 he didn't understand much Greek, but he got her drift Example sentencesExamples By the time she comes back we forget what we were discussing and the drift of the conversation is lost. Yet, this apart, you can see the drift of the argument. Some experienced industry observers disagree with the drift of this argument. He didn't mention 45-year-olds but I think I got his drift. People who know me will know the general drift of my thoughts and the intensity of my feelings on disasters, whether they be personal, natural or man-made. It wasn't noticeable, but I think he got my drift and put his arm around me. He looked across at Gianni, who seemed to be getting the drift of the conversation. She doesn't quote the great biblical injunction ‘to do justice but to love mercy’, but that is the general drift. Brooke asked in reply to his sudden movement; could she not catch the drift? I suspect many posters on this board are deliberately misunderstanding the general drift of the main article. It's a long time since I read it, but that seemed to be the general drift. You get the general drift of all that, don't you? And that message - or at least its general drift - has been delivered in musicals for a good long time. Eric was rapidly getting the drift of the conversation and trying to phrase a polite refusal in his mind. I'm not too sure you got the drift of the Governor General's dilemma. No doubt there are lots more but you get the drift. Well, I get the general drift of it - it has some familiar themes - but some references are puzzling. I want to put a little humor in this one, but I have no sense of humor whatsoever, so… you get the drift. To continue the debate, I feel the drift of this conversation is that Ken has the old world traditional values at heart and represents the majority. He got my drift and went to sit on a beanbag chair. Synonyms gist, essence, core, meaning, sense, thesis, substance, significance, signification thrust, import, purport, tenor, vein, spirit implication, intention, direction, course, tendency, trend 3A large mass of snow, leaves, or other material piled up or carried along by the wind. four sheep were dug out of the drift Example sentencesExamples Along the edge of the lawn drifts and heaps of yellow leaves caught the first light, looking for all the world as if they'd grown there overnight. I crouched at the border of field and forest, hidden behind the snow-dusted skeleton of a bush and a drift banked against a fallen trunk. The region lacks prominent landmarks, and the raised beaches are sandy and subject to wind erosion and sand drift. For the first week, Emma paced at night and watched a late snow curl in drifts around the mailbox at the corner and the lamppost beneath her window. This evening, trudging along through the drifts of ripped leaves and shed blossom I could smell smoke on the air. The wind howled behind them and swept a drift of snow through the doorway with them. Out of the office window I see snow, thick drifts bearing the marks of a brave skier gliding down. Fierce blizzards could blow in suddenly, bringing heavy snow that strong winds heaped into deep drifts. The ground was covered with melting snow, drifts and banks still sat on the sidewalk covering the sign posts more than half-way high. The wind picks up, stirring the drifts until the snow looks like it's falling upward. We wanted to dive into the massive drifts of drying leaves, blown or swept high against walls and in gutters. They had, then, to anchor the pylons supporting the cables on rocks frozen under deep drifts of snow, working in freezing temperatures, buffeted by needle sharp winds. When I went for my walk this afternoon there was still no sign of snow, though the drifts of fallen May blossom along the hedge bottoms kept my mind on the topic. He rolled up his sleeve and reached into the drift, seconds later he produced a powdery pooch. The snow fell slowly and it piled into drifts everywhere, sparkling in the grey mist that hung low to the ground. I pulled my cloak a bit tighter as a gust of wind whipped powder snow from a nearby drift and swirled it around us in a chill flurry. I like trudging up the path through the drifts of dead leaves, too. The only bonus of my mistake was that the freezing air no longer seemed as cold as it had earlier, when I eventually crunched my way home through thigh-high drifts of snow, beneath a sky ablaze with the northern lights. The structure rested next to a steep slope, and snow was piled in thick drifts around it. For the first time in what seemed like years I heard actual rain drumming against the roof and washing snow from the streets and reducing drifts to icy piles of dirty slush. Synonyms pile, heap, bank, mound, mass, accumulation, dune, ridge 3.1Geology mass noun Glacial and fluvioglacial deposits left by retreating ice sheets. Example sentencesExamples The rugged driftless area got its name because of early geologists' inability to find evidence of glacial drift. Because early geologists did not find recent glacial drift in the region, it became known as the Driftless Area. Much of their ground stone came from either glacial drift or outcrops of Dakota sandstone, both sources occurring to the east of the site. It can readily be modelled as a body of low density representing a valley fill of glacial drift. Furthermore, it is not always clear whether fossils from a given locality are from in situ rocks or from spoil or clasts in glacial drift. 3.2 A large spread of flowering plants growing together. a drift of daffodils Example sentencesExamples Lady Rachel also injected a touch of informality to the somewhat formal layout by planting drifts of daffodils and allowing them to naturalise in the long grass. I found it hard to appreciate the differences between the many varieties, so I gave up and simply enjoyed the spectacle of huge drifts of green and white flowers indoors, in the centre of London! The sun illuminated a drift of orange-flowered trees on the far ridge. Some of the flowers are in drifts that spill down the steep slopes; others stand in large beds. Their choice has the backing of Cumbria Tourist Board, which has relaunched its daffodil telephone hotline to satisfy people's desire to see great drifts of daffodils growing wild in the Lakes. Like many other plants, the Pokers are best grown in large drifts if you can possibly afford the space. In place of lawn, Stratton planted native creeping grass; drifts of ‘Thalia’ daffodil bloom beneath the oaks. Plant in clusters or drifts, by plant type, or by flower and foliage color. Next day, about noon, our rail pass took us through flat countryside, the low fields broken by stands of trees and drifts of yellow broom along the tracks, to Norwich. Since it self-seeds, just a few plants will eventually give rise to a nice drift. It is best grown in drifts in a semi-shaded spot beneath trees and shrubs and a fertile, well-drained soil is essential. Below the trailing sweeps, violets and daffodils and drifts of yellow, blue and white crocus came forth in Spring and later tulips, grape hyacinth and other like bulbs kept the willow company. They make an excellent ground cover for shady areas of the garden and give a wonderful show when grouped together in large drifts. I can visualize a wide flower bed planted with C. rosea in drifts, mixed with a host of other colors for a more casual garden look. 4Mining A horizontal or inclined passage following a mineral vein or coal seam. the drift led to another smaller ore chamber Example sentencesExamples In recent years more of these nodules have been collected from the mine dump and a drift in the mine. The workings consist of three adits with 3,300 feet of drifts, raises, and crosscuts. From this level a number of drifts and underground shafts worked the vein at levels from the Five Yard Limestone. We explored the areas that were not being mined, including miles of old abandoned drifts and stopes. In subsurface ore mining, headings are driven into new ground, level drifts follow the ore, level crosscuts connect drifts, and vertical or inclined raises connect the workings from level to level. 5British historical An act of driving cattle or sheep. Example sentencesExamples It was a cattle drift between the Table Valley settlement and the interior. 5.1 An act of herding cattle within a forest to a particular place on an appointed day in order to determine ownership or to levy fines. 6South African A ford. Example sentencesExamples Namibia Construction is building an 800 metre bridge which will elevate the road above the two drifts that have caused wash-outs in past rainy seasons. All was quiet for half an hour, till we crossed the drift. At about 07:30, just after the troops had crossed the drift, they formed a hollow square formation comprising 4156 whites and 1152 blacks. Synonyms crossing place, crossing, causeway Phrasal Verbs drift apart (of two or more people) gradually become less intimate or friendly. Lewis and his father drifted apart Example sentencesExamples I don't know what happened, I guess in the long trek through my ever changing moods we sort of drifted apart. In an exclusive interview, the Afghan President Hamid Karzai shows us what's making America's allies drift apart. Over the years, however, they drifted apart. There is no grim diagnosis of their relationship, no claim they had drifted apart, no mention of divorce. They graduated in 1948, then quickly drifted apart. They may even lead to the couple drifting apart. The couple, expecting their decree nisi next month, have drifted apart in recent months. Most of us, even with every communication option possible, drift apart from friends. They demonstrate just how far the old allies have drifted apart. Twenty-five years later, the three friends have drifted apart. Derivatives drifty adjectivedriftiest, driftier I've got to make a couple of very hard decisions on a daily basis instead of taking the easy drifty way out. Example sentencesExamples ‘Yeah, I guess… ‘her voice had that drifty sound like that wasn't enough. According to an economist at Tokyo University, the drifty lives of parasite singles are indeed a by-product of increased longevity, mainly because longer-lived seniors are holding on to their jobs. At least he was amused and not annoyed - I guess I must've been pretty drifty, so I spent my last period making the librarians wonder why they hadn't become sewage workers or something instead. The wafting incense smell made my head go drifty. Origin Middle English (in the sense 'mass of snow, leaves, etc.'): originally from Old Norse drift 'snowdrift, something driven'; in later use from Middle Dutch drift 'course, current', and (in sense 6 of the noun) South African Dutch drift 'ford'; related to drive. Rhymes adrift, gift, grift, lift, rift, shift, shrift, sift, squiffed, swift, thrift, uplift verb.1 phr.v. Definition of drift in US English: drift verbdriftdrɪft [no object] 1Be carried slowly by a current of air or water. the cabin cruiser started to drift downstream figurative excited voices drifted down the hall Example sentencesExamples Once past this section of white water we began to drift downstream and came to a stone bridge crossing the deep valley of the river, reminding me of a rainbow. The Maritime and Coastguard Agency said the 170-metre semi-submersible barge had since drifted into Norwegian waters. We got up each day, put our boats in the water, and drifted down the river. It's not the first bit I've seen float by, but this one is drifting against the current. We drift with the current over one of his favourite yellow spots. It drifts with the currents and pulsates to maintain position at the proper depths. There was a particular spot that I loved, on the bridge over the river, where ghostly whirls of mist drifted lazily over the water's surface. During the mission, our unattended football rolled into the water and drifted downstream. One after another the tiny balls of bread fell, hit the water and drifted downstream. Aided by the swift current, we drifted quietly downstream watching the rich assortment of wildlife along the way. I am looking forward to being in the open sea where I can use the sea anchor - a sort of parachute for water that ensures that you drift with the current, reducing the effect of the wind. The smaller ship began to drift with the current downstream. As Tim and I drifted slowly downstream, we scrutinized every bird we saw. Perfect fly presentation is often ruined by drag - the current's unnatural tug on your fly as it drifts downstream - a problem the snake cast eliminates. There were lights of the fishermen out on the jetty beneath The Bluff - and there was a white shape drifting in the water close to the shore. Wedge-tailed eagles drift in the air currents, and in the mornings the hills are alive with western grey kangaroos. As we drift into the current, things suddenly get very quiet. And the ocean currents tend to drift westwards on the northern side. Drift-diving in Britain means that the divers will be drifting with a current. Within minutes the aromas of a three-course Thai meal cooked on the double gas burner drifted across the waters. Synonyms be carried, be carried along, be carried away, be borne, be wafted 1.1with adverbial of direction (of a person) walk slowly, aimlessly, or casually. people began to drift away Example sentencesExamples Even so, he strode to Lily's room, Sylvia drifting close behind. Then he moved around, drifting from place to place, trying to memorize the ships myriad of corridors and rooms. There was only one other table in the restaurant when we first arrived, but as the evening progressed more people started drifting in. Slowly, the crowds began to drift away, some back to town, others into the forest. All week they didn't speak to each other while the others were about and they drifted off for walks on their own and Jed gave them plenty of opportunity to be together by leaving them behind a lot. The new trainees drifted in different directions as they left the landing strip. Voices rose in an unhappy mutter, but the crowd began to drift away, and the sergeant walked over. She drifted closer, wanting to read it but fearing what it would say. Four hundred odd people drifted in and out last week, and during this crazy summer, it's shaping up to be a welcome oasis of calm. Finally, after 45 minutes, the audience now diminished as people drifted away, the machine spews out some outsize balls that bounce away on the wind. Because they were civilians, their response to the order was neither prompt nor orderly, but the group did begin to drift that way. Gradually though, people drifted away and we were left alone. The rebellion's leaders had been caught and swiftly brought to justice and the rioters began to drift back home to their apprenticeships and farms. There already was not enough light and people were drifting away. People applauded, held their prizes proudly to their chests and began to drift off home. An unexpected monsoon shower delayed the proceedings, but everything started off with a bang after couples and groups began drifting in as the sky cleared. People were drifting in, and Sky News was on everywhere. I felt pretty useless, and began to drift around aimlessly, asking if anyone needed help. He was 15 when the civil war ended, and a new and different kind of settler began to drift westward. 1.2with adverbial Move passively, aimlessly, or involuntarily into a certain situation or condition. I was drifting off to sleep Lewis and his father drifted apart Example sentencesExamples And so the friendship slowly began to drift apart. Everything slowly began to drift away but this time, instead of the nightmares the mysterious stranger that haunted my dreams greeted me. Although crying feels oddly satisfying, to unleash your anger and sadness, I began to drift off slowly into sleep. Slowly, the cat began to drift out of conciseness, not bothering to fight it. I began to drift in and out of consciousness and saw blue stars around my head. As she sat with her hand cupping her chin, she wondered what was going to become of her and her father right before she drifted off into a dreamless sleep. She began to see blue and yellow dots, as she slowly began to drift out of consciousness. They both went to their next classes, but the day drifted by slowly. We have known each other for years but drifted apart when they moved out of our neighborhood. Eventually, I started to ‘wise up’ and began to drift away from him. He slid into the water deeper, slowly drifting off to sleep. She closed her eyes and slowly began to drift off to sleep. Dominic slowly began to drift away from his drinking problem, though he didn't lose it completely. Almost paradise, and all the bitterness that had been consuming my soul was slowly beginning to drift away. Jamie had told him that often times patients in this condition would drift into a coma-like state. The echo of a soft knock found its way to Rose's ears as she slowly drifted awake. I closed my eyes and slowly began drifting off to sleep, content that the candle would burn brightly one more day. My head sunk slowly into the pillow, and I began to drift asleep. She held me closer as I began to drift slowly into sleep. I slowly began to drift off to sleep, when the phone rang. Synonyms doze off, drop off, fall asleep, go to sleep wander, wander aimlessly, roam, rove, meander, stray, coast 1.3 (of a person or their attention) digress or stray to another subject. I noticed my audience's attention drifting Example sentencesExamples Why can't I hold your attention anymore, you're always drifting off on me. I once again drifted off into a different plane, not paying attention to what was happening around me, never mind on the tennis court. Experts are worried that attention would drift away from Asia where the virus is endemic. Theo slowly began to drift off into another daydream about the life she wished she could have, the life of a popular girl that didn't have a care in the world. The conversation drifted as they walked and shared the events of the day. Her mind slowly began to drift away from Rosetta, filling itself with questions. A musician… my mind began to drift, or was it those beautiful blue eyes staring at me. His mind drifted away from the situation at hand as he allowed himself to feel the extent of her devotion. My sentence was way too long for him and his attention had drifted to a potential fight that was about to ensue near the entrance. As soon as somebody starts trying to prove something to me, something happens; - my attention drifts off and I have to wait until they stop before I can turn back and carry on the conversation. The latter is a typical song the band chooses to jam out live, but it was obvious much of the audience's attention was drifting after the first 10 minutes. She paused and glanced at me as though to check that my attention hadn't drifted again. As they walked, their thoughts drifted back to Buddy. Your attention drifts away from the task at hand just as a car comes around the corner with its high beams on. After a while, the boys drifted from the subject of math and started talking about other things. Her eyes slid closed and her mind began to drift outside of the walls. You could understand what kinds of offers motivate people, figure out why their attention drifts from one site to another, and anticipate what site they might go to next. When Fredi finally hung up she noticed that Kelly's attention had drifted, so she took this moment to watch her lover. She fidgeted, her mind drifting back to her current dilemma. When no longer captivated by what's on stage, the mind drifts involuntarily and temptation inevitably sets in to peek at your timepiece. Synonyms stray, digress, depart, diverge, veer, swerve, deviate, get sidetracked 2(especially of snow or leaves) be blown into heaps by the wind. fallen leaves start to drift in the gutters Example sentencesExamples I stare at the snow drifting outside my window, at the nearly deserted street below, trying not to think about anything. When it came to snow, it wasn't usually too bad if it just fell quietly without any wind behind it because, as everyone knows, it is the wind that causes snow to drift. Snow had already drifted up on Old Hank's truck and the white and red pickup he'd told her about was nearly covered. I traipsed outside and cleared out about a foot of snow that had drifted into the dish. As the game kicked off, winter threatened to intervene as snow drifted across the ground but fortunately it remained light. Outside, snow is drifting across the stable-yard. Meanwhile, skiers are looking with envy at the fresh snow which is still drifting in Athens. It probably came because of the snow drifting past her window, and not out of his notice of anything wrong. Fences placed above the starting zone can prevent snow from drifting into leeward basins, thus reducing drift loading. The snow drifted around them, making the entire scene look unreal. The snow had drifted on the ground, swelling up against trunks and rocks, and parchment thin beside the water. Fairly flying, he followed the fence along, watching for a place where the snow had drifted up high enough that he could step over the wires. Morning sun glared off snow drifted up to a metre against the walls in places. Snow drifted lazily about us, and we were both coated in the white powder. And we got to the next exit down the road here and we went to pull off, and the snow had drifted up, and we were stranded there. Some roads in the south-east of Scotland were blocked as snow drifted. He turned the vehicle onto a dirt road drifted over with snow. Unless he organized his thoughts he would die here in the nighttime, the snow would drift over his body and only the dogs would know where to find him. Woke up this morning and there was snow drifting a meter high out on the deck and in the garden, burying my optimistic seeds. Up to five inches of snow, drifting in the gale-force winds, was being forecast overnight along the East Coast. Synonyms pile up, bank up, heap up, accumulate, gather, form drifts, form heaps, amass noundriftdrɪft 1in singular A continuous slow movement from one place to another. there was a drift to the towns Example sentencesExamples The second half is a mellow drift through a tunnel of cottonwood trees. His book provided no mechanism whereby the drift of continents could come about. Malton appointed a town centre manager and set out to raise the profile of its shopping centre two years ago because of an alarming drift of customers to supermarkets outside Scarborough and York. This drift of players from second division Stepps to top side Western has also included defender Kenny Miller, who is also a member of the first team squad. It was, however, growing around this time - from a figure perhaps as low as 1,600 in 1550-due mainly to a drift from the countryside to the town. Yet, in spite of historiographical shifts, and the steady drift of population to the cities, pastoral Australia retains a treasured place in the national imagination. And within Australia there's still a steady drift north. The director's commentary explains that in the space scene, no cuts could be made without ruining the continuous drift of the backdrop. The task is not an easy one, for the population drift to the cities, especially among young people, continues unabated. The project has slowed down the drift toward the cities. Nevertheless, it is clear that it is quite insufficient to keep up the farm population, stop the drift to the towns and the abandonment of marginal farms. Over the past 30 years it has been used to reflect laser pulses back to observatories on Earth, making it possible to monitor the slow drift of the Moon away from our planet. Then as transport became more available there was a gradual drift to country schools on the periphery of the town. That drift of dynastic Egypt from Africa has now dramatically slowed. Contrasting the abruptness of earthquakes is the slow drift of tectonic plates. The scheme is also regarded as a way of boosting town centre trade, by helping to halt the drift of shoppers to out-of-town retail centres, which often offer free or cheap parking. The steady drift of learners from rural to urban areas has shifted the demand for teachers since the last provisioning exercise six years ago. The drift of the continents had sealed off the waters of the far arctic, as the northern margins of Asia and North America crowded together. The item on the finding in southern Scotland of the solitary wasp illustrates how climate change may be inducing a northward drift of some species of insects. There is also evidence of a drift towards the towns and cities where the bulk of the recent tourism investment has taken place, both in accommodation and facilities. Synonyms movement, shift, flow, transfer, transferral, relocation, gravitation 1.1 The deviation of a vessel, aircraft, or projectile from its intended or expected course as the result of currents or winds. the pilot had not noticed any appreciable drift Example sentencesExamples I let the canoe drift with the current, trailing my paddle in the mocha-colored water. He said that he had detected forward drift and had put in what he perceived as enough aft cyclic to correct the problem, but the drift had continued. If you have an electric outboard available, this too can be used to slow down a drift. In addition, compensation for wind drift based on visual cues on the ground becomes more difficult with increasing altitude. I felt my copilot initially increase right rudder, trying to stop the aircraft's left drift. They require continuous updates from the visual sense to correct the drift errors in the other four inputs. By the time the plane and its crew reached the European coast, they had adjusted course to compensate for a 15-mile drift to the right. We've got computer projections of drift according to the weather and charts which give us an approximation of survival times. Wind drift is a major factor and little appreciated. Significant wind drift can occur, and it's difficult to detect it at night. He lost his ability to mentally calculate fuel loads and wind drift while me and my drugs stayed the course. The speed of the craft varied, from a slow drift, to a speed so great that it is difficult to explain how this speed was achieved. For this reason, all match ammunition is subsonic to reduce wind drift. It was still flat calm as I rowed out to fish on the drift, using my bank outfit. Synonyms deviation, digression, veering, straying 1.2 A steady movement or development from one thing toward another that is perceived as unwelcome. the drift toward a more repressive style of policing Example sentencesExamples In commenting, therefore, on a social drift in democracy, my first appeal is for an understanding of the complexity of the subject. This has resulted in a loss of focus and a drift towards multiple and contradictory objectives. All I will say is that there has been a gradual drift in the legal position over the years as views have tended to move towards the liberal, and that this slow and creeping evolution is likely to continue. The drift will further accelerate the decline of the public system. The drift towards fiction has its compensations. However, there is now a substantial body of opinion that the party needs to correct a drift to the left if it is to challenge the two main parties. The '90s brought a slow drift from the arms of the Church, as secular materialism took hold. In the 1980s and 1990s we were ill at ease and unable to get a hold on things as we faced a big black hole and a slow drift to oblivion. The only way for Democrats to reverse the slow rightward drift in constitutional law is by winning elections. He worries also about the slow drift of journalism out of the public consciousness. With uncanny resemblance to his own political career, Napoleon ensured that the drift from left to right continued apace. He has warned ministers to guard against a drift towards ‘a surveillance society’. The cartel then began a long drift towards the centre. The drift is towards global business and financial consolidation. His slow drift down in the polls might now accelerate. Nevertheless, the drift toward protectionism did contribute to a new international atmosphere of conflict and tension. If the drift downwards continues there would be a substantial erosion of pension funds in Ireland, he said. Oriented north toward the small town of Limbo, he meticulously fights off the slow drift to complacency within his platoon. Britain can build bridges - and avoid a drift to war The drift has shrunk the tax base and foisted ever-higher bills on citizens already paying the highest council tax in Scotland. 1.3 A state of inaction or indecision. after so much drift, any expression of enthusiasm is welcome Example sentencesExamples Ministers say they want to ‘see an end to the drift and lack of mission in further education and training’ and plan to introduce a raft of new measures to raise standards. Cohabitation is a continuing process of drift, lacking a sense of belonging. After 10 years of indecision and drift, Britain cannot remain on hold for another five years. The parliamentary election was followed by three months of inactivity and drift in the summer of 1990. 2in singular 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 he didn't understand much Greek, but he got her drift Example sentencesExamples Yet, this apart, you can see the drift of the argument. She doesn't quote the great biblical injunction ‘to do justice but to love mercy’, but that is the general drift. I want to put a little humor in this one, but I have no sense of humor whatsoever, so… you get the drift. He got my drift and went to sit on a beanbag chair. He didn't mention 45-year-olds but I think I got his drift. I suspect many posters on this board are deliberately misunderstanding the general drift of the main article. Some experienced industry observers disagree with the drift of this argument. Brooke asked in reply to his sudden movement; could she not catch the drift? Well, I get the general drift of it - it has some familiar themes - but some references are puzzling. You get the general drift of all that, don't you? By the time she comes back we forget what we were discussing and the drift of the conversation is lost. He looked across at Gianni, who seemed to be getting the drift of the conversation. No doubt there are lots more but you get the drift. To continue the debate, I feel the drift of this conversation is that Ken has the old world traditional values at heart and represents the majority. I'm not too sure you got the drift of the Governor General's dilemma. It wasn't noticeable, but I think he got my drift and put his arm around me. People who know me will know the general drift of my thoughts and the intensity of my feelings on disasters, whether they be personal, natural or man-made. Eric was rapidly getting the drift of the conversation and trying to phrase a polite refusal in his mind. And that message - or at least its general drift - has been delivered in musicals for a good long time. It's a long time since I read it, but that seemed to be the general drift. Synonyms gist, essence, core, meaning, sense, thesis, substance, significance, signification 3A large mass of snow, leaves, or other material piled up or carried along by the wind. Example sentencesExamples The snow fell slowly and it piled into drifts everywhere, sparkling in the grey mist that hung low to the ground. Out of the office window I see snow, thick drifts bearing the marks of a brave skier gliding down. We wanted to dive into the massive drifts of drying leaves, blown or swept high against walls and in gutters. The structure rested next to a steep slope, and snow was piled in thick drifts around it. The only bonus of my mistake was that the freezing air no longer seemed as cold as it had earlier, when I eventually crunched my way home through thigh-high drifts of snow, beneath a sky ablaze with the northern lights. When I went for my walk this afternoon there was still no sign of snow, though the drifts of fallen May blossom along the hedge bottoms kept my mind on the topic. He rolled up his sleeve and reached into the drift, seconds later he produced a powdery pooch. For the first week, Emma paced at night and watched a late snow curl in drifts around the mailbox at the corner and the lamppost beneath her window. Along the edge of the lawn drifts and heaps of yellow leaves caught the first light, looking for all the world as if they'd grown there overnight. I like trudging up the path through the drifts of dead leaves, too. They had, then, to anchor the pylons supporting the cables on rocks frozen under deep drifts of snow, working in freezing temperatures, buffeted by needle sharp winds. The ground was covered with melting snow, drifts and banks still sat on the sidewalk covering the sign posts more than half-way high. Fierce blizzards could blow in suddenly, bringing heavy snow that strong winds heaped into deep drifts. For the first time in what seemed like years I heard actual rain drumming against the roof and washing snow from the streets and reducing drifts to icy piles of dirty slush. The region lacks prominent landmarks, and the raised beaches are sandy and subject to wind erosion and sand drift. This evening, trudging along through the drifts of ripped leaves and shed blossom I could smell smoke on the air. I crouched at the border of field and forest, hidden behind the snow-dusted skeleton of a bush and a drift banked against a fallen trunk. The wind howled behind them and swept a drift of snow through the doorway with them. I pulled my cloak a bit tighter as a gust of wind whipped powder snow from a nearby drift and swirled it around us in a chill flurry. The wind picks up, stirring the drifts until the snow looks like it's falling upward. Synonyms pile, heap, bank, mound, mass, accumulation, dune, ridge 3.1Geology Glacial and fluvioglacial deposits left by retreating ice sheets. Example sentencesExamples Much of their ground stone came from either glacial drift or outcrops of Dakota sandstone, both sources occurring to the east of the site. Because early geologists did not find recent glacial drift in the region, it became known as the Driftless Area. It can readily be modelled as a body of low density representing a valley fill of glacial drift. The rugged driftless area got its name because of early geologists' inability to find evidence of glacial drift. Furthermore, it is not always clear whether fossils from a given locality are from in situ rocks or from spoil or clasts in glacial drift. 3.2 A large mass of flowering plants growing together. a drift of daffodils Example sentencesExamples It is best grown in drifts in a semi-shaded spot beneath trees and shrubs and a fertile, well-drained soil is essential. They make an excellent ground cover for shady areas of the garden and give a wonderful show when grouped together in large drifts. I found it hard to appreciate the differences between the many varieties, so I gave up and simply enjoyed the spectacle of huge drifts of green and white flowers indoors, in the centre of London! The sun illuminated a drift of orange-flowered trees on the far ridge. Below the trailing sweeps, violets and daffodils and drifts of yellow, blue and white crocus came forth in Spring and later tulips, grape hyacinth and other like bulbs kept the willow company. Next day, about noon, our rail pass took us through flat countryside, the low fields broken by stands of trees and drifts of yellow broom along the tracks, to Norwich. Plant in clusters or drifts, by plant type, or by flower and foliage color. Some of the flowers are in drifts that spill down the steep slopes; others stand in large beds. In place of lawn, Stratton planted native creeping grass; drifts of ‘Thalia’ daffodil bloom beneath the oaks. Lady Rachel also injected a touch of informality to the somewhat formal layout by planting drifts of daffodils and allowing them to naturalise in the long grass. I can visualize a wide flower bed planted with C. rosea in drifts, mixed with a host of other colors for a more casual garden look. Like many other plants, the Pokers are best grown in large drifts if you can possibly afford the space. Since it self-seeds, just a few plants will eventually give rise to a nice drift. Their choice has the backing of Cumbria Tourist Board, which has relaunched its daffodil telephone hotline to satisfy people's desire to see great drifts of daffodils growing wild in the Lakes. 4Mining A horizontal or inclined passage following a mineral vein or coal seam. Example sentencesExamples From this level a number of drifts and underground shafts worked the vein at levels from the Five Yard Limestone. In subsurface ore mining, headings are driven into new ground, level drifts follow the ore, level crosscuts connect drifts, and vertical or inclined raises connect the workings from level to level. In recent years more of these nodules have been collected from the mine dump and a drift in the mine. We explored the areas that were not being mined, including miles of old abandoned drifts and stopes. The workings consist of three adits with 3,300 feet of drifts, raises, and crosscuts. Origin Middle English (in the sense ‘mass of snow, leaves, etc.’): originally from Old Norse drift ‘snowdrift, something driven’; in later use from Middle Dutch drift ‘course, current’, and (in drift (sense 6 of the noun)) South African Dutch drift ‘ford’; related to drive.
随便看	perspective-free perspective glass perspectiveless perspectively perspectively perspective piece perspective plane perspective projection perspectives perspectivic perspectivism perspectivist perspectivist perspectivistic perspectivity perspectograph perspectography Perspex perspicable perspicacious perspicaciously perspicaciously perspicaciousness perspicaciousness perspicaciousnesses