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 aimlessly in the calm waters. [drift: verb]
Example
His thoughts began to drift away from the conversation at hand. [drift: verb]
Example
There seems to be a drift towards more sustainable living practices. [drift: noun]
trend
Example
There has been a trend towards remote work in recent years. [trend: noun]
Example
Wearing oversized clothing is currently a popular trend. [trend: noun]
Example
Many people are trending towards plant-based diets for health reasons. [trending: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Trend is more commonly used than drift in everyday language and covers a wider range of contexts. Drift is more specific and may be used in certain technical or specialized fields.
Whatโs the difference in the tone of formality between drift and trend?
Both drift and trend can be used in formal or informal contexts, but trend may be more commonly used in business or marketing settings to describe market trends or consumer behavior.
