noun
    
    plural drifts
    
    [singular] :a slow and gradual movement or change from one place, condition, etc., to another
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    [count] :a large pile of snow or sand that has been blown by the wind
    
    
    
    [singular] informal :the general or basic meaning of something said or written
    
    
    
    
    
    [noncount] :movement of an airplane or a ship in a direction different from the one desired because of air or water currents
    
    verb
    
    drifts; drifted; drifting
    
    [no obj]
    
    to move slowly on water, wind, etc.
    
    
    
    
    
    of snow or sand :to form a pile by being blown by the wind :to form a drift
    
    
    
    
    
    to move smoothly or easily in a way that is not planned or guided
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    to behave or live in a way that is not guided by a definite purpose or plan
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    to change slowly from one state or condition to another
    
    
    
    drift apart
    
    [phrasal verb]
    
    to stop having a close relationship
    
    
    
    drift off
    
    [phrasal verb] informal :to fall asleep