Drift away Meaning in English
expression
ˈdɹɪft/ /əˈweɪ
DRIFT uh-WAY
dɹˈɪft/ /ɐwˈeɪ
drIFT uh-WAY
Definition
To slowly move away from a place or from someone, often carried by wind or water; also, to gradually become less close in a relationship or lose interest.
Usage & Nuances
Often used literally for physical movement (boats, clouds) and figuratively for relationships or attention. Common with 'let', 'start to', or 'feel yourself'. More emotional in social contexts: 'friends drift away.' Not formal; neutral to informal.
Spanish: alejarse - distanciarsePortuguese (BR): afastar-se - distanciar-sePortuguese (PT): afastar-se - distanciar-seChinese (Simplified): 逐渐疏远 - 漂走Chinese (Traditional): 逐漸疏遠 - 漂走Hindi: धीरे-धीरे दूर होनाArabic: يبتعد تدريجيًاBengali: সরে যাওয়া - বিচ্ছিন্ন হয়ে যাওয়া - দূরে সরে যাওয়াRussian: удаляться - отдаляться - уплыватьJapanese: 離れていく - 流されるVietnamese: trôi đi - rời xaKorean: 멀어지다 - 떠내려가다Turkish: uzağa sürüklenmek - uzaklaşmakUrdu: دور ہوتے جانا - الگ ہوناIndonesian: melayang menjauh - menjauh
Example Sentences
The boat began to drift away from the shore.
basic
I watched the clouds drift away in the sky.
basic
Sometimes, friends drift away over time.
basic
We used to be close, but we just drifted away after college.
natural
Don’t let your dreams drift away—work for them every day.
natural
She felt herself drifting away during the boring lecture.
natural