Words / C1

DRIFT/drɪft/

To drift is to move slowly without steering, or of talk and policy to change course gradually: a boat drifts, conversation drifted, policy drift. Stray is a cousin; steer sits opposite; a drift (noun) can be snow or meaning. Lifestyle copy is not an abstract.

Meaning

To move slowly with no control; of policy or talk, to change course gradually.

Examples

• “Do not let the abstract drift from the n into lifestyle copy.”
• “Stray is a cousin. Wander is everyday. Meander is slower and literary. An abstract has a job. A picnic caption is a different genre. Lead with the count; keep the picnic for the newsletter.”

Good to know

Move / change course without steering. Close: stray. Opposite: steer. Noun: a drift (snow or meaning). Lifestyle copy ≠ an abstract.

Near in meaning

stray

New