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Adrift - Meaning, Definition & English Examples

Adrift means floating without direction or purpose, often used to describe boats or people lacking control or guidance. It suggests being lost, aimless, or disconnected from a fixed course.

adrift

/əˈdrɪft/ /əˈdrɪft/

Definition:

Floating without control or direction, often due to wind or current.

Synonyms:

drifting, unmoored, aimless, lost

Part of Speech:

adjective, adverb

Antonyms:

anchored, secured, grounded

Common Collocations:

set adrift, cast adrift, go adrift

Derivatives:

adriftness (rare), adriftly (rare)

Usage Tips:

Use "adrift" to describe something or someone lacking direction or purpose, physically or metaphorically.

Common Phrases:

all at sea, cast adrift, cut adrift

Etymology:

From Old English "on drifan," meaning "to drive," combined with "a-" (on) and "drift" (movement).

Examples:

  • 1. The boat was left adrift after the storm.
  • 2. She felt adrift in life after losing her job.
  • 3. The raft went adrift when the rope snapped.
  • 4. His plans were left adrift without proper guidance.

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