DRIFT


Meaning of DRIFT in English

transcription, транскрипция: [ drɪft ]

( drifts, drifting, drifted)

Frequency: The word is one of the 3000 most common words in English.

1.

When something drifts somewhere, it is carried there by the movement of wind or water.

We proceeded to drift on up the river...

The waves became rougher as they drifted.

VERB : V adv / prep , V

2.

If someone or something drifts into a situation, they get into that situation in a way that is not planned or controlled.

We need to offer young people drifting into crime an alternative set of values...

There is a general sense that the country and economy alike are drifting.

VERB : V prep / adv , V

3.

If you say that someone drifts around, you mean that they travel from place to place without a plan or settled way of life.

You’ve been drifting from job to job without any real commitment.

VERB : V prep / adv [ disapproval ]

4.

A drift is a movement away from somewhere or something, or a movement towards somewhere or something different.

...the drift towards the cities.

N-COUNT : usu N prep

5.

To drift somewhere means to move there slowly or gradually.

As rural factories shed labour, people drift towards the cities.

VERB : V prep

6.

If sounds drift somewhere, they can be heard but they are not very loud.

Cool summer dance sounds are drifting from the stereo indoors.

VERB : V prep / adv

7.

If snow drifts , it builds up into piles as a result of the movement of the wind.

The snow, except where it drifted, was only calf-deep...

VERB : V

8.

A drift is a mass of snow that has built up into a pile as a result of the movement of wind.

...a nine-foot snow drift.

N-COUNT

9.

The drift of an argument or speech is the general point that is being made in it.

Grace was beginning to get his drift...

= gist

N-SING : poss N , N of n

Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner's English Dictionary.      Английский словарь Коллинз COBUILD для изучающих язык на продвинутом уровне.