drifter

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

A swaggering drifter named Hal Carter arrives in town looking for work, and by sunset he has thrown the community, especially the fragile Madge Owens, into emotional turmoil.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 2, 2026

A drifter and petty criminal, he had spent much of his time between 2000 and 2017 in the Algarve.

From BBC • Jun. 4, 2025

It might have helped if Siff had a sturdier partner, but Alexander’s wan emo sensibility lacks the haunted charisma of a sexy drifter attempting to move on from his past.

From New York Times • Jul. 18, 2023

He plays the laborer and the free-spirited drifter who would never succumb to the burdens of economic hardship.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 26, 2023

Made him feel worse than I did watching poor Trevor leveling the floor like some drifter slaving for a night’s rest in a bed.

From "Worth" by A. LaFaye