drifter

noun

drift·​er ˈdrif-tər How to pronounce drifter (audio)
: one that drifts
especially : one that travels or moves about aimlessly

Examples of drifter in a Sentence

He was a drifter who hitchhiked from state to state. the drifter just packed up and moved on to the next dead-end job
Recent Examples on the Web This new technology can kick in precisely in time to safeguard a driver and manage a loss of control, just as an expert drifter would. New Atlas, 30 July 2024 Premiering in April 2022, Outer Range cast Brolin as Wyoming rancher Royal Abbott, who discovers a mysterious black void in his pasture after the arrival of a female drifter, Autumn, played by Imogen Poots. Lester Fabian Brathwaite, EW.com, 4 July 2024 Cody recruits her manager and current boyfriend, Billy Fish (Moranis, playing a character in which his every word is lathered with contempt), and a drifter named McCoy (Amy Madigan). Mike Ryan, IndieWire, 3 July 2024 Arwen thinks Cushion’s head looks like one of Richard Avedon’s road-trip portraits—one of the drifters. Annie Proulx, The New Yorker, 30 June 2024 See all Example Sentences for drifter 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'drifter.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1897, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of drifter was in 1897

Dictionary Entries Near drifter

Cite this Entry

“Drifter.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/drifter. Accessed 7 Sep. 2024.

Kids Definition

drifter

noun
drift·​er ˈdrif-tər How to pronounce drifter (audio)
: one that drifts
especially : a person who travels about without purpose

More from Merriam-Webster on drifter

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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