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 Right on cue, a bodybuilding drifter named Jackie (Katy O’Brian) barges into Lou’s life. Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 8 Mar. 2024 The drifter, known as Legs, is played by Angelina Jolie in one of her earliest starring roles. Mark Olsen, Los Angeles Times, 1 Mar. 2024 The rancher, preacher, and constitutional lawman has spent years hunting down Dot with help from his son Gator and a drifter named Ole Munch. Kyle Fowle, EW.com, 17 Nov. 2023 The two wealthy women live in Hong Kong’s tony Victoria Peak neighborhood, as well as Mercy (Ji-young Yoo), the American drifter who complicates both of their lives. Rebecca Sun, The Hollywood Reporter, 17 Feb. 2024 When Shirlee returned, Theo would remind her about the Wisconsin drifter and the danger of this kind of life style. Addie Citchens, The New Yorker, 5 Feb. 2024 Theo read about Joe Ray McDonald, a Wisconsin drifter who strangled and bludgeoned his prostitute victims, then dug his initials into their stomachs. Addie Citchens, The New Yorker, 5 Feb. 2024 Her wakeup call arrives in the form of Jackie (Katy O’Brian), a drifter from Oklahoma who shows up at the gym to pump iron. Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 21 Jan. 2024 Matters get more complicated with the arrival of a drifter named Jasper (Emeka Amakeze), who claims to stand up for the people of the village. Murtada Elfadl, Variety, 8 Dec. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'drifter.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1897, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of drifter was in 1897

Dictionary Entries Near drifter

Cite this Entry

“Drifter.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/drifter. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

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

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