adrift

• Décrit quelque chose qui dérive sans attache ni contrôle ; également utilisé au sens figuré pour une personne sans direction ni but.

Describes something that is floating without being tied or steered; also used figuratively to describe a person who is without direction or purpose.

1. Floating without directionB2formal

   Floating freely on water without being tied or steered; not anchored.

   À la dérive

   • The boat was adrift on the open sea after the engine failed.
   • They found the raft adrift near the shore.
   • The ship remained adrift for days before rescue arrived.

   Synonymesafloatdriftingfloatinglooseunfastened

2. Aimless or without purposeB2informal

   Lacking clear direction, purpose, or guidance in life or a situation.

   à la dérive

   • After losing his job, he felt adrift and uncertain about the future.
   • She was adrift in a new city without any friends or plans.
   • The project went adrift without a strong leader.

   Synonymesaimlessdirectionlesslostpurposelessuncertainundefined

   Antonymesdetermineddirectedfocusedpurposefulresolute

3. Off course or lostC1formal

   Having strayed from a planned path or intended direction.

   À la dérive

   • The hikers became adrift in the dense forest.
   • His thoughts were adrift during the long lecture.
   • The negotiations went adrift after the disagreement.

   Synonymesaimlessastraydriftinglostwandering

   Antonymessteadfast

• Adverbe signifiant « à la dérive, sans attache ni contrôle », souvent utilisé au sens figuré pour décrire un manque de direction, de but ou de contrôle. Peut renvoyer à l'état physique de flotter sur l'eau ou à un état métaphorique de perte ou d'incertitude.

An adverb meaning 'floating without being tied or steered,' often used figuratively to describe a lack of direction, purpose, or control. It can refer to a physical state of drifting on water or a metaphorical state of being lost or uncertain.

1. Floating without directionB2formal

   Floating on water without being tied or steered, moving with the current or wind.

   À la dérive (sur l'eau)

   • The boat was set adrift after the anchor broke.
   • They found the raft adrift in the middle of the ocean.
   • The ship was adrift for days before being rescued.

   Synonymesafloatdriftingloose

   Antonymesfixedtethered

2. Aimless or without purposeB2informal

   Lacking a clear goal, direction, or sense of purpose.

   à la dérive

   • After losing his job, he felt adrift in life.
   • She was adrift in a sea of uncertainty.
   • The team seemed adrift without their leader.

   Synonymesaimlessdirectionlessdriftinggoallesslostpurposelesswandering

   Antonymesdeliberatelydeterminedlyintentionallypurposefully

3. Detached or looseC1formal

   Not fixed or attached; free to move.

   Détaché ou lâche

   • The rope came adrift from the mooring post.
   • A few pages of the book came adrift from the binding.
   • The panel was adrift and needed to be secured.

   Synonymesdetacheddriftingfloatinglooseunfastenedunsecured

   Antonymesattachedfixedtethered