Drift | Mean of drift in English Dictionary

/ˈdrɪft/

• Noun
• a slow and gradual movement or change from one place, condition, etc., to another
1. the slow drift of the clouds
2. As she got older, you could observe a drift in her writing towards more serious subjects.
3. the government's drift towards a centralization of power
4. a population drift [=a gradual movement of people that lowers the population in one area and increases it in another]
• a large pile of snow or sand that has been blown by the wind
1. We sped over the drifts [=snowdrifts] on our skis.
• the general or basic meaning of something said or written
1. I don't get your drift. [=I don't understand what you're saying]
2. I won't tell you his name, but he's someone you know very well, if you catch my drift. [=if you understand what I'm suggesting]

• movement of an airplane or a ship in a direction different from the one desired because of air or water currents
• Verb
• to move slowly on water, wind, etc.
1. The boat slowly drifted out to sea.
2. The clouds drifted across the sky.
• to form a pile by being blown by the wind
1. The snow drifted against the side of the house.
2. Drifting snow covered most of the car.
• to move smoothly or easily in a way that is not planned or guided
1. The party guests drifted from room to room, eating and mingling.
2. Her eyes drifted across the crowd.
3. The conversation drifted from topic to topic.
4. My thoughts drifted back to the time when we first met.
• to behave or live in a way that is not guided by a definite purpose or plan
1. After he left the army he just drifted for a few years.
2. She drifted from job to job.
3. He has always drifted through life without a care.
• to change slowly from one state or condition to another
1. The patient drifted in and out of consciousness all day.
• to stop having a close relationship
1. They used to be great friends, but they've gradually drifted apart over the years.
• to fall asleep
1. She drifted off while I was still talking.
2. He gradually drifted off to sleep.