drift off

verb

drifted off; drifting off; drifts off
informal
: to fall asleep
She drifted off while I was still talking.
He gradually drifted off to sleep.

Examples of drift off in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The device will completely block the ear canal and cause a low buzzing noise that makes drifting off hard. Liana Handler follow, Los Angeles Times, 11 June 2026 If a friend drifts off topic, steer gently toward the goal, and name a next step that each person can support. Tarot.com, Sun Sentinel, 19 Mar. 2026 Her long platinum blond hair blew in the cool night air drifting off Lady Bird Lake. Deborah Sengupta Stith, Austin American Statesman, 17 Mar. 2026 Guests instinctively understand where to sit, where to eat and where to drift off when the conversation winds down. Kansas City Star, 1 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for drift off

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Drift off.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/drift%20off. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!