# drifter

/ˈdɹɪftɝ/ (US) · /dɹˈɪftɐ/ (UK) · CEFR C1 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/drifter
Updated: 2026-05-20

## Definition

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.

For teachers: 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.

## Examples

- He lived as a drifter for several years.
- The drifter moved from town to town, looking for temporary work at the local docks.
- 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.

---

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.