ENGLISH
REFERENCE

drifter

n.
C1 Advanced US //ˈdɹɪftɝ// UK //dɹˈɪftɐ// drifter Archaic Vulgar

n. a person who moves from place to place without a fixed home or job. In some contexts, it can also describe a person who moves between different groups or ideas.

n. a person who moves from place to place without a fixed home or job. In a figurative sense, it describes a person who lacks a consistent direction or allegiance.


SIMPLE

He lived as a drifter for several years.

CONTEXTUAL

The drifter moved from town to town, looking for temporary work at the local docks.

COMPLEX

The novel follows a drifter who navigates the shifting allegiances of a small mining community, never settling long enough to form a permanent bond with any single resident.

Synonyms
Etymology 1

From drift (verb) + -er.

Etymology 2

From drift (noun) + -er.

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