# drift /ˈdɹɪft/ (US) · /dɹˈɪft/ (UK) Source: https://englishreference.com/word/drift Updated: 2026-06-20 ## Senses ### 1. to move slowly verb · CEFR B1 to move slowly on water or in the air without using power. For teachers: to be carried along by currents of air or water without independent propulsion. Intransitive in this sense. - The small boat began to drift out to sea after the engine failed. - The abandoned vessel continued to drift aimlessly across the Atlantic, eventually washing up on the shores of Ireland months later. ### 2. to move without purpose verb · CEFR B2 to move from one place or activity to another without a real plan. For teachers: to move or change state in a casual or aimless manner, often used metaphorically for life choices or attention. - After finishing university, he spent a year just drifting from one job to another. - Without a clear career path, many graduates find themselves drifting through various entry-level roles before discovering their true vocation. ### 3. to pile up verb · CEFR B2 to be blown into large piles by the wind, especially snow or sand. For teachers: to accumulate in heaps or banks through the action of wind or water currents. - The snow started to drift against the front door, making it hard to open. - Fine desert sand began to drift over the ancient ruins, slowly burying the stone carvings that had been exposed for centuries. ### 4. the general meaning noun · CEFR B2 the general meaning or basic idea of what someone is saying or writing. For teachers: the general intention, gist, or direction of an argument or piece of communication. - I don't speak much French, but I got the drift of what he was saying. - Although the technical details were complex, the board members quickly caught the drift of the CEO's strategic proposal. ### 5. a pile of snow/sand noun · CEFR B1 a large pile of snow or sand that has been blown by the wind. For teachers: a mass of matter, such as snow or sand, heaped up by the force of wind or water. - The car got stuck in a deep snow drift on the side of the road. - The hikers struggled to navigate through the massive drifts that had formed in the mountain pass overnight. ### 6. a slow change noun · CEFR C1 · Academic a slow and gradual change from one situation or opinion to another. For teachers: a gradual deviation or cumulative change from a set course, standard, or position. - The government is worried about the drift toward more violent protests. - Economists observed a steady drift in consumer behaviour toward online platforms long before the global pandemic accelerated the trend. ### 7. mining passage noun · CEFR C2 · Technical a horizontal tunnel or path inside a mine. For teachers: a horizontal or nearly horizontal passage driven in or along a vein or rock formation. - The miners followed the drift deep into the mountain to find the gold vein. - The structural integrity of the main drift was compromised by the recent seismic activity, forcing a temporary halt to extraction operations. ### 8. motorsport verb · CEFR B2 · Informal to slide a car sideways through a corner while keeping control. For teachers: to intentionally oversteer a vehicle to cause a loss of traction in the rear wheels while maintaining control through a curve. - The driver managed to drift perfectly around the sharp turn. - Professional drifters balance throttle and steering to maintain a precise angle of slip throughout the entire duration of the corner. ## Examples - The boat began a slow drift away from the shore. - I did not catch every word of his speech, but I certainly got the drift of his argument. - The gradual drift of the tectonic plates over millions of years eventually resulted in the formation of the mountain range we see today. --- From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.