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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Most of them were migrant workers, young drifters, and then some co-renters. Jack Hargreaves, The Dial, 9 Sep. 2025 The film follows a young drifter and a taciturn trucker who link up and forge a precarious bond on Mexico’s dangerous highways. Patrick Brzeski, HollywoodReporter, 6 Sep. 2025 Young, unemployed family man Nick (MacKay) volunteers to take the boat back out, along with taciturn, new-in-town drifter Liam (Turner) and grizzled seadog Murgey (Francis Magee). Guy Lodge, Variety, 31 Aug. 2025 Entrants included everything from historic race cars to JDM drifters, time attack competition cars and off-roaders. Trinity Francis, Forbes.com, 26 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for drifter

Word History

First Known Use

1897, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of drifter was in 1897

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Drifter.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/drifter. Accessed 13 Sep. 2025.

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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