adrift

American  

[uh-drift] / əˈdrɪft /

adjective

1. floating without control; drifting; not anchored or moored.

   The survivors were adrift in the rowboat for three days.

2. lacking aim, direction, or stability.

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adrift British  

/ əˈdrɪft /

adjective

1. floating without steering or mooring; drifting

2. without purpose; aimless

3. informal off course or amiss

   the project went adrift

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Etymology

Origin of adrift

First recorded in 1615–25; a- ¹ + drift

Example Sentences

Injury-hit reigning champions Napoli slid to fourth, now points 14 adrift of Inter.

From Barron's

This can leave readers feeling adrift, but those who are patient will find beauty in small moments.

From The Wall Street Journal

But England were 11 points adrift with just 26 minutes left, when Matt Fagerson's charge down of Ford's somewhat telegraphed drop-goal attempt paved the way for Scotland centre Huw Jones' second try of the match.

From Barron's

Penned by a young female author perpetually adrift in the dark world of fantasy, “Wuthering Heights” is a transgressive novel today and was exponentially more so at the time of its publication in 1847.

From Los Angeles Times

When all the leaves were adrift, Jonathan said, “It’s time to sink the ships.”

From Literature

Related Words

• afloat