Drift apart Meaning in English

expression

US

ˈdɹɪft/ /əˈpɑɹt

DRIFT uh-PART

UK

dɹˈɪft/ /ɐpˈɑːt

dr-IFT uh-PAHT

Definition

When two people gradually become less close, lose touch, or stop having a strong relationship, often over time and without a big argument.

Usage & Nuances

Used for relationships (friends, couples, family) fading with time. Common collocations: 'We started to drift apart', 'They drifted apart after college'. Usually informal and implies no conflict; don't confuse with 'break up' (which usually ends a romantic relationship suddenly).

• Spanish: alejarse - distanciarse
• Portuguese (BR): afastar-se - distanciar-se
• Portuguese (PT): afastar-se - distanciar-se
• Chinese (Simplified): 疏远
• Chinese (Traditional): 疏遠
• Hindi: अलग होना - दूर होना
• Arabic: يبتعد تدريجيًا - يبتعد عن بعض
• Bengali: একসঙ্গে কম ঘনিষ্ঠ হওয়া - আলাদা হয়ে যাওয়া (পরস্পর থেকে দূরে সরে যাওয়া)
• Russian: отдаляться друг от друга
• Japanese: 疎遠になる
• Vietnamese: xa cách dần - rời xa nhau dần dần
• Korean: 서서히 멀어지다
• Turkish: zamanla uzaklaşmak
• Urdu: آہستہ آہستہ دور ہونا
• Indonesian: menjauh secara perlahan

Example Sentences

We used to be close, but we drifted apart after high school.

basic

Sometimes friends drift apart when they move to different cities.

basic

My sister and I drifted apart when we both got busy with work.

basic

We didn't fight or anything; we just slowly drifted apart over the years.

natural

After college, it was natural for some of us to drift apart.

natural

Life just got busy and we slowly drifted apart without even noticing.

natural