drift
gb/dɹˈɪft/ us/dɹˈɪft/
A2
English
~ 1400
sodródik, szállingózik, sodródás, szállingózás, lényeg, mondanivaló, belesodródik, eltávolodik
VERB
A2
1
sodródik
B1
szállingózik
B2
Usage pattern:
to drift [somewhere]
The boat began to drift away from the shore.
A csónak kezdett elsodródni a parttól.
Snowflakes drifted gently to the ground.
A hópelyhek lágyan szállingóztak a földre.
The balloon drifted across the sky until it disappeared.
Learner examples
The boat is drifting on the lake.
A csónak sodródik a tavon.
The cloud is drifting across the sky.
A felhő átsodródik az égen.
The paper is drifting in the water.
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse 'drift' with 'drive'; 'drift' is passive movement, not active control.
Meaning
Move slowly without control
Collocations
drift away
|drift downstream
|drift toward shore
|drift out to sea
Synonyms
float (Often implies movement on water without control, but can be used more broadly.)
Antonyms
anchor (Implies staying fixed in place, the opposite of moving without control.)
Themes
nature
|travel
|daily life
|weather
|core_vocabulary
Definition
To move slowly from one place to another without control, because of wind or water.
To move slowly and without control in a particular direction, often due to wind, water, or current.
NOUN
B1
2
sodródás
B2
szállingózás
B2
The drift of the boat was caused by the strong current.
A csónak sodródását az erős áramlat okozta.
We watched the drift of clouds across the valley.
A felhők völgy fölötti sodródását figyeltük.
Scientists study the drift of continents over millions of years.
Learner examples
The drift of the boat was slow.
A csónak sodródása lassú volt.
We saw the drift of snow in the wind.
Láttuk, ahogy a hó sodródik a szélben.
The ice drift was dangerous for ships.
Meaning
Slow uncontrolled movement
Collocations
ice drift
|snow drift
|continental drift
Synonyms
current (Refers more specifically to the flow of water or air that causes drifting.)
Antonyms
stability (Implies no movement or change in position.)
Themes
nature
|travel
|weather
|core_vocabulary
Definition
A slow movement from one place to another without control, caused by wind or water.
A slow and gradual movement from one place to another without control, often caused by wind, water, or current.
NOUN
B2
3
lényeg
B1
mondanivaló
B2
I didn't understand every word, but I got his drift.
Nem értettem minden szót, de a lényeget felfogtam.
She missed the drift of his argument entirely.
Teljesen félreértette az érvelésének lényegét.
Do you get my drift? I'm saying we should leave.
Learner examples
I got the drift of his talk.
Megértettem a beszéde lényegét.
She did not get the drift of my story.
Nem értette meg a történetem lényegét.
Do you get my drift?
Common mistake:
Learners might think 'drift' here refers to physical movement; in this sense it is about meaning.
Meaning
Main idea or meaning
Collocations
get the drift
|miss the drift
Synonyms
gist (Informal term for the essential meaning of something.)
Antonyms
detail (Refers to specific information rather than the general meaning.)
Themes
communication
|education
|core_vocabulary
Definition
The main idea or meaning of what someone says or writes.
The general meaning or main idea of something that is said or written.
VERB
B2
4
Usage pattern:
to drift into [something]
After college, he drifted into teaching without really planning it.
Az egyetem után úgy sodródott bele a tanításba, hogy nem is igazán tervezte.
Over time, they drifted apart and stopped speaking.
Idővel eltávolodtak egymástól, és már nem beszéltek.
She drifted into sleep during the lecture.
Learner examples
He drifted into a new job.
Lassan, különösebb terv nélkül került egy új állásba.
They drifted apart after school.
Az iskola után eltávolodtak egymástól.
She drifted into sleep quickly.
Meaning
Gradually change without decision
Collocations
drift apart
|drift into sleep
|drift into debt
Synonyms
wander (Implies a lack of clear purpose, though it often refers to physical movement.)
Antonyms
focus (Implies deliberate attention and direction.)
Themes
life
|psychology
|core_vocabulary
Definition
To slowly change to a different situation or opinion without planning it.
To gradually change from one situation, opinion, or activity to another without making a clear decision or effort.
Grammar
Dictionary form
drift
IPA
GB/dɹˈɪft/
US/dɹˈɪft/
Syllables & stress
drift (1 syllable)
Stress on 1st syllable (drift)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: drift
- Plural: drift, drifts
Verb
- Base: drift
- 3rd Person Singular: drifts
- Present Participle: drifting
- Past: drifted
Word family
Forms
drifts
noun
drifting
verb
drifted
verb
Related words
drifter
noun
adrift
adjective
Advanced or less common
driftwood
noun
snowdrift
noun
Expressions
drift apart
1/dɹˈɪft əpˈɑɹt/
phrasal verb
Grow less close over time
To slowly become less friendly with someone over time.
Examples
- We were best friends in school but drifted apart in college.
- They started to drift apart after moving to different cities.
drift into [something]
1/dɹˈɪft ˈɪntu sˈʌmθɪŋ/
fixed phrase
Gradually enter situation/state
To slowly start doing something or being in a new situation without planning it.
Examples
- After losing his job, he drifted into freelance work.
- She drifted into a deep sleep.
drift off
1/dɹˈɪft ˈɔf/
phrasal verb
Gradually fall asleep
To slowly fall asleep without noticing exactly when it happens.
Examples
- She drifted off while watching TV.
- I must have drifted off during the movie.
get the drift
1/ɡˈɛt ðə dɹˈɪft/
idiom
informal
Understand main idea
To understand what someone means, even if they do not say it directly.
Examples
- I don’t need all the details; I get the drift.
- You get the drift—she’s not interested in going.