What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
drifter
Example
He's been a drifter for years, moving from town to town with no real plan. [drifter: noun]
Example
She felt like a drifter, unsure of what she wanted to do with her life. [drifter: adjective]
vagabond
Example
The old man was a vagabond, traveling the country with just a backpack. [vagabond: noun]
Example
She had always dreamed of living a vagabond lifestyle, traveling the world with nothing but a backpack. [vagabond: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Drifter is more commonly used in American English, while vagabond is more common in British English. Both words are not very common in everyday language.
Whatโs the difference in the tone of formality between drifter and vagabond?
Both drifter and vagabond are informal words and are not typically used in formal contexts.
