What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
drift
Example
The boat began to drift towards the shore. [drift: verb]
Example
The snow was so light that it drifted across the road. [drifted: past tense]
Example
I used to hate spicy food, but over time I've drifted towards enjoying it. [drifted: past participle]
glide
Example
The bird glided through the sky, its wings barely moving. [glide: verb]
Example
She glided across the ice, performing a perfect triple axel. [glided: past tense]
Example
He tried to glide past the security guard unnoticed. [gliding: present participle]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Drift is more commonly used than glide in everyday language, especially in negative contexts. Glide is more specific and often used in contexts related to dance, figure skating, or aviation.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between drift and glide?
Both drift and glide are relatively informal words, but glide may be slightly more formal due to its association with dance and figure skating.
