adrift

[uh-drift]

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.

adrift

/ əˈdrɪft /

adjective

1. floating without steering or mooring; drifting

2. without purpose; aimless

3. informal,  off course or amiss

   the project went adrift

Word History and Origins

Origin of adrift¹

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

Example Sentences

Martin won just five of his 17 matches, leaving Rangers eighth in the table - 11 points adrift of leaders Hearts.

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His vision of power, propaganda and language as a weapon meets a barrage of torn-from-the-news imagery: refugees adrift on boats, authoritarian leaders twisting the truth, AI hallucinations blurring what’s left of reality.

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Verstappen has also closed in and is 63 adrift of the lead.

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Arsenal ended last season 12 points adrift after another poor start in which one defeat in four matches led to former boss Jonas Eideval's departure.

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The loss of the erotic drive, which made so much of my life exciting and unexpected, can leave me feeling a bit adrift.

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Related Words

• afloat