The Complete Vocabulary Builder Workbook

adrift

IPA:

Dictionary definition of adrift

Being without direction, purpose, or stability.
"The boat was found adrift in the middle of the ocean."

Detailed meaning of adrift

It implies a lack of control or guidance, as if one is floating or drifting aimlessly in an unpredictable manner. When someone or something is adrift, they are disconnected from their usual moorings or routines, feeling lost or uncertain about their path or situation. It can be used to describe both physical and metaphorical circumstances. For example, a boat adrift on the open sea is without a fixed course or anchorage, while a person adrift in life may feel detached from their goals or lacking a sense of belonging. The adjective "adrift" suggests a sense of vulnerability and the need for grounding or reorientation to regain stability and purpose.

Example sentences containing adrift

1. After losing her job, she felt adrift and unsure of her next steps.
2. The paper airplane floated adrift in the breeze.
3. The child wandered adrift in the crowded amusement park, searching for their parents.
4. The astronaut felt adrift in the vastness of space.
5. The company's finances were in disarray, leaving it adrift and struggling to survive.
6. The abandoned house stood lonely and adrift in the neglected neighborhood.

History and etymology of adrift

The adjective 'adrift' has its etymological origins in the Old English word 'adrifan,' which means 'to drive or carry away.' This term combines 'a,' signifying 'on' or 'to,' and 'drifan,' meaning 'to drive' or 'to move.' Over time, it transitioned into 'adrift' in modern English, maintaining its fundamental sense of being without direction or purpose. 'Adrift' describes a state of drifting or floating aimlessly, often used metaphorically to depict something or someone without stability or a clear course. Its etymology underscores the idea of being carried away by circumstances or lacking a sense of control and purpose, highlighting a state of uncertainty and instability.

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Further usage examples of adrift

1. The sailor was adrift at sea for days before being rescued.
2. Her thoughts were adrift as she stared out the window, lost in contemplation.
3. The broken compass left them adrift in the wilderness, unsure of which direction to take.
4. The ship's crew worked tirelessly to rescue the adrift passengers stranded on a lifeboat.
5. The novel's protagonist felt adrift in a world that seemed devoid of meaning.
6. The economy was adrift, with unemployment rates skyrocketing and businesses closing down.
7. The hiker got separated from the group and found himself adrift in unfamiliar terrain.
8. The homeless man seemed adrift, wandering the city streets with no fixed destination.
9. The artist's creativity felt adrift, lacking inspiration and direction.
10. The ship's anchor broke, leaving it adrift in the harbor during the storm.
11. The elderly widow felt adrift after the loss of her lifelong partner.
12. The abandoned raft floated adrift in the calm river.
13. The organization's leadership was adrift, lacking a clear vision for the future.
14. After losing his job, he felt adrift in a sea of uncertainty.
15. The abandoned ship drifted adrift in the open ocean.
16. She found herself adrift in a foreign city with no map.
17. The company felt adrift without a clear leadership plan.
18. The young artist's mind was often adrift in a world of creativity.
19. The refugees were adrift, searching for a place to call home.
20. After the breakup, he was emotionally adrift for months.
21. The political party seemed adrift without a unified vision.
22. The boat remained adrift, its engine malfunctioning.
23. In retirement, he felt adrift without his daily routine.
24. The project went adrift due to a lack of clear objectives.