dictionary · eo1.org

drift

Fetched 2026-10-26 (cache).

Synonyms: draft, rift, adrift, grift, druft, dript, drit, dift, dreft, drft, drif

Antonyms: draft, rift, adrift, grift, druft, dript, drit, dift, dreft, drft, drif

Related words from Datamuse; suggestions, not definitions.

Noun

  1. {{lb|en|physical}} [[movement|Movement]]; that which moves or is moved.
  2. The act or [[motion]] of drifting; the [[force]] which [[impel]]s or drives; an overpowering influence or impulse.
  3. A place (a [[ford]]) along a river where the water is shallow enough to permit crossing to the opposite side.
  4. The [[tendency]] of an [[act]], [[argument]], [[course]] of conduct, or the like; object aimed at or intended; [[intention]]; hence, also, import or meaning of a sentence or discourse; aim.
  5. {{lb|en|architecture}} The [[horizontal]] [[thrust]] or [[pressure]] of an [[arch]] or [[vault]] upon the [[abutment]]s.<ref>'''1876''', {{w|Edward H. Knight}}, ''American Mechanical Dictionary''</ref>
  6. {{lb|en|handiwork}} A tool.
  7. A deviation from the line of fire, peculiar to [[obloid]] [[projectile]]s.
  8. {{lb|en|uncountable}} Minor deviation of audio or video playback from its correct speed.
  9. {{lb|en|uncountable|film}} The situation where a [[performer]] gradually and unintentionally moves from their proper location within the [[scene]].
  10. {{lb|en|mining}}
  11. {{lb|en|nautical}} Movement.
  12. {{lb|en|cricket}} A [[sideways]] movement of the [[ball]] through the air, when bowled by a [[spin bowler]].

Verb

  1. {{lb|en|intransitive}} To move slowly, especially pushed by [[current]]s of water, air, etc.
  2. {{lb|en|intransitive}} To move [[haphazardly]] without any destination.
  3. {{lb|en|intransitive}} To deviate gently from the intended direction of travel.
  4. {{lb|en|transitive}} To drive or carry, as currents do a floating body.
  5. {{lb|en|transitive}} To drive into heaps.
  6. {{lb|en|intransitive}} To [[accumulate]] in [[heap]]s by the force of wind; to be driven into heaps.
  7. {{lb|en|mining|US}} To make a drift; to examine a vein or ledge for the purpose of ascertaining the presence of metals or ores; to follow a vein; to [[prospect]].
  8. {{lb|en|transitive|engineering}} To [[enlarge]] or [[shape]], as a hole, with a drift.
  9. {{lb|en|automotive}} To [[oversteer]] a [[vehicle]], causing loss of [[traction]], while maintaining control from entry to exit of a [[corner]]. See {{w|Drifting (motorsport)}}.

Source: Wiktionary · CC BY-SA 4.0 (Wiktionary dump) · cached copy, not a rewrite.