drifted
word · lemma: drift
/ˈdɹɪftəd/
/dɹˈɪftɪd/
Definition
Moved slowly and smoothly, often without a clear direction or control; can refer to being carried by wind, water, or to gradually change focus or distance.
Usage & Nuances
Used for physical movement (boats, clouds) and also for people or ideas slowly moving apart or losing direction ('drifted away from friends'). Often past tense. Not for quick or intentional actions.
Spanish: derivar - ir a la deriva - flotarPortuguese (BR): derivar - flutuar - ir à derivaPortuguese (PT): derivar - flutuar - andar à derivaChinese (Simplified): 漂移 - 漂流Chinese (Traditional): 漂移 - 漂流Hindi: बहक गया - बहकना - बह जानाArabic: انجرف - حاد عن المسار - تاهBengali: ভেসে গেল - সরে গেল - ধীরে ধীরে দূরে চলে গেলRussian: дрейфовал - отплыл - постепенно отдалилсяJapanese: 漂った - ゆっくり離れたVietnamese: trôi - lơ đãng - xa rờiKorean: 흘러갔다 - 서서히 멀어졌다Turkish: sürüklendi - uzaklaştıUrdu: بہہ گیا - دور ہوتا گیاIndonesian: melayang - terhanyut - menjauh
Example Sentences
The small boat drifted away from the shore.
basic
Some clouds drifted across the sky.
basic
Her mind drifted during the long meeting.
basic
He drifted off to sleep during the movie.
natural
My thoughts drifted back to my childhood.
natural
Over the years, we just drifted apart.
natural