What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
adrift
Example
The boat was adrift in the middle of the ocean. [adrift: adjective]
Example
After losing her job, she felt adrift and unsure of what to do next. [adrift: adjective]
Example
His thoughts were adrift, and he couldn't focus on the task at hand. [adrift: adverb]
floating
Example
The leaves were floating on the surface of the pond. [floating: verb]
Example
After a long day, she enjoyed floating in the pool to relax. [floating: verb]
Example
The company's stock price has been floating up and down for weeks. [floating: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Floating is more commonly used than adrift in everyday language. Floating is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while adrift is less common and typically used in nautical or figurative contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between adrift and floating?
While adrift is typically associated with a formal or technical tone, floating is more versatile and can be employed in various formality levels, allowing it to be used in both formal and informal contexts.
