: one that drifts
especially
: one that travels or moves about aimlessly
Synonyms of drifter
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
The scene inspired future comedy gags showing drifters and tramps losing their pants to dogs chasing them.
—
Mike Barnes, HollywoodReporter, 29 Jan. 2026
Which is why something like Rafael Manuel’s Filipiñana arrives in Park City like some strange, fascinating drifter.
—Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 24 Jan. 2026
Meeting drifters and friendly folk along the way, Alvin is doggedly determined to make amends while facing ailments of his own.
—James Mercadante, Entertainment Weekly, 20 Jan. 2026
Namir Smallwood stars opposite Coon as Peter, a paranoid former soldier and mysterious drifter who meets her character Agnes, a lonely waitress.
—Catherine Santino, PEOPLE, 13 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for drifter
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Mike Barnes, HollywoodReporter, 29 Jan. 2026
Which is why something like Rafael Manuel’s Filipiñana arrives in Park City like some strange, fascinating drifter.
—Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 24 Jan. 2026
Meeting drifters and friendly folk along the way, Alvin is doggedly determined to make amends while facing ailments of his own.
—James Mercadante, Entertainment Weekly, 20 Jan. 2026
Namir Smallwood stars opposite Coon as Peter, a paranoid former soldier and mysterious drifter who meets her character Agnes, a lonely waitress.
—Catherine Santino, PEOPLE, 13 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for drifter
Cite this Entry
“Drifter.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/drifter. Accessed 11 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
drifter
noun
drift·er
ˈdrif-tər 
: one that drifts
especially
: a person who travels about without purpose
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