drift

B2 · Upper Intermediate

v. to move from one place or activity to another without a real plan.

v. 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.”

B2 · Upper Intermediate

v. to be blown into large piles by the wind, especially snow or sand.

v. 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.”

B2 · Upper Intermediate Uncountable noun

n. the general meaning or basic idea of what someone is saying or writing.

n. 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.”

B1 · Intermediate Countable noun

n. a large pile of snow or sand that has been blown by the wind.

n. 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.”

C1 · Advanced Countable noun Academic

n. a slow and gradual change from one situation or opinion to another.

n. 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.”

C2 · Proficiency Countable noun Mining Technical

n. a horizontal tunnel or path inside a mine.

n. 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.”

B2 · Upper Intermediate Sports Informal

v. to slide a car sideways through a corner while keeping control.

v. 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.”