What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
idled
Example
He idled away the afternoon, watching TV. [idled: verb]
Example
The car idled at the red light. [idled: verb]
Example
The employee was caught idling on the job. [idling: gerund or present participle]
drifted
Example
The clouds drifted across the sky. [drifted: verb]
Example
The boat drifted out to sea. [drifted: verb]
Example
He drifted through life without any real ambition. [drifted: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Idled is less common than drifted in everyday language. Idled is more specific and limited in its usage, while drifted is more versatile and can be used in various contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between idled and drifted?
Both idled and drifted are informal words and are not typically used in formal contexts.
