# drifting

**Pronunciation:** /ˈdrɪftɪŋ/ · DRIFT-ing

**Part of speech:** verb/adjective

## Meaning 1: when describing slow movement

Moving slowly or aimlessly, often carried along by a current of water, air, or shifting circumstances.

## Examples

- The abandoned raft was drifting aimlessly across the calm lake.
- Snow was drifting against the front door, blocking our exit.
- He spent his twenties drifting from one temporary job to another without a clear plan.

## Meaning 2: when describing sleep

To gradually fall into a state of sleep (often used as 'drifting off').

## Examples

- I was drifting off while reading the boring report.
- She finally started drifting off after hours of tossing and turning.
- The soft music helped him drift off into a deep slumber.

## Synonyms

- floating — Focuses on staying on the surface of a liquid.
- wandering — Focuses on moving without a destination.
- meandering — Focuses on a winding, indirect path.
- roaming — Focuses on traveling over a wide area.

## Common patterns

- drift off — to fall asleep gradually — I drifted off during the movie.
- drift apart — to gradually lose a close relationship — The two friends slowly drifted apart after moving to different cities.

Canonical URL: https://anaversity.com/dictionary/english/drifting

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