drift

Meanings

• a force that moves something along
• the gradual departure from an intended course due to external influences (as a ship or plane)
• a process of linguistic change over a period of time
• a large mass of material that is heaped up by the wind or by water currents
• a general tendency to change (as of opinion)
• the pervading meaning or tenor
  • "caught the general drift of the conversation"
• a horizontal (or nearly horizontal) passageway in a mine
  • "they dug a drift parallel with the vein"
• be in motion due to some air or water current
  • "the boat drifted on the lake"
  • "The sailboat was adrift on the open sea"
  • "the shipwrecked boat drifted away from the shore"
• wander from a direct course or at random
  • "don't drift from the set course"
• move about aimlessly or without any destination, often in search of food or employment
  • "the laborers drift from one town to the next"
• vary or move from a fixed point or course
  • "stock prices are drifting higher"
• live unhurriedly, irresponsibly, or freely
  • "My son drifted around for years in California before going to law school"
• move in an unhurried fashion
  • "The unknown young man drifted among the invited guests"
• cause to be carried by a current
  • "drift the boats downstream"
• drive slowly and far afield for grazing
  • "drift the cattle herds westwards"
• be subject to fluctuation
  • "The stock market drifted upward"
• be piled up in banks or heaps by the force of wind or a current
  • "snow drifting several feet high"
  • "sand drifting like snow"

Synonyms

be adrift, blow, cast, err, float, freewheel, gallery, heading, impetus, impulsion, movement, purport, ramble, range, roam, roll, rove, stray, swan, tramp, trend, vagabond, wander