drift

To move slowly, carried by air or water rather than by your own power.

• Clouds drift across the sky.
• Our boat drifted towards the rocks.
• A piece of wood was drifting along the river.

How to use it: drift towards/away from something (The boat drifted away from the shore.); drift across/along something (Smoke drifted across the field.)

Similar words: float

Common phrases: drift away, drift across something, drift towards something

To move slowly down through the air towards the ground.

• Snowflakes drift down from the sky.
• A yellow leaf drifted gently to the ground.
• We watched the feathers drifting down around us.

How to use it: drift down to something (The feather drifted down to the grass.)

Similar words: float down, descend

Opposites: rise

Common phrases: drift down, drift to earth, drift downwards

To drive a car around a bend while controlling its sideways slide.

• She can drift a car safely.
• The driver drifted around the final bend.
• They practise drifting on a closed racing track.

Similar words: powerslide

Common phrases: drift a car, drift around corners

A pile of snow, sand, or other material collected together by wind or water.

• A deep drift blocked the road.
• The wind left drifts of sand against the wall.
• We dug a path through the snow drifts.

How to use it: a drift of something (A drift of snow covered the steps.)

Similar words: pile, bank, heap

Common phrases: a snow drift, a sand drift, drift of snow

A slow change that builds up over time, often without anyone planning it.

• We noticed a slow drift in public opinion.
• Genetic drift can change small animal populations.
• The report describes a drift away from traditional values.

How to use it: a drift towards/away from something (There has been a gradual drift towards stricter rules.)

Similar words: shift, change

Common phrases: genetic drift, drift towards something, gradual drift