drift
Live unhurriedly, irresponsibly, or freely.
“My son drifted around for years in California before going to law school”
Be piled up in banks or heaps by the force of wind or a current.
“snow drifting several feet high”
“sand drifting like snow”
Be subject to fluctuation.
“The stock market drifted upward”
Cause to be carried by a current.
“drift the boats downstream”
Drive slowly and far afield for grazing.
“drift the cattle herds westwards”
Move in an unhurried fashion.
“The unknown young man drifted among the invited guests”
Vary or move from a fixed point or course.
“stock prices are drifting higher”
Be in motion due to some air or water current.
“the boat drifted on the lake”
“The sailboat was adrift on the open sea”
Move about aimlessly or without any destination, often in search of food or employment.
“the laborers drift from one town to the next”
Wander from a direct course or at random.
“don't drift from the set course”
A process of linguistic change over a period of time.
The gradual departure from an intended course due to external influences (as a ship or plane).
The pervading meaning or tenor.
“caught the general drift of the conversation”
A force that moves something along.
A general tendency to change (as of opinion).
A horizontal (or nearly horizontal) passageway in a mine.
“they dug a drift parallel with the vein”
A large mass of material that is heaped up by the wind or by water currents.