drifter

noun

drift·​er ˈdrif-tər How to pronounce drifter (audio)
Synonyms of drifternext
: 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.
The grocery survives thanks to passing bargemen and the drifters from the outskirts who frequent the café. Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 14 May 2026 Since Sylvie hasn’t exactly been taking good care of herself, her niece, Céline (India Hair), who owns half the apartment, sets her up with a young drifter, Adam (Adam Bessa), who rescued Céline from a subway pickpocket. Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 14 May 2026 The story attracted her first, a heartwarming narrative about an aquarium cleaner (Field) who looks after a giant Pacific octopus (voiced by Alfred Molina) and the young drifter (Lewis Pullman) who deepens both their lives while doing his own soul-searching. Brian Truitt, USA Today, 9 May 2026 Everything changes when a down-on-his-luck drifter named Cameron (Lewis Pullman) arrives in town. Keith Langston, PEOPLE, 8 May 2026 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 21 May. 2026.

Kids Definition

drifter

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

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