Definition

A person who moves around without a fixed home or job, often traveling from place to place without a specific purpose.

Example

He was a drifter, never staying in one town for too long.

Conversation

Have you ever met a real drifter?

Yeah, I once talked to a guy who traveled everywhere without a plan.

That sounds interesting! What did he say about his life as a drifter?

He mentioned that he loves the freedom, but sometimes it gets lonely.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Drifter → The word is formed from "drift" (from Old English "driftan", meaning to drive or float) and the suffix "-er" (meaning a person who). A drifter is a person who floats or moves aimlessly from place to place.

Memory Tip

Think of someone who 'floats' or 'moves' without a fixed destination — that's what a drifter does.

Visually Confused Words