drift off
Definition
Verb (intransitive) To gradually fall asleep; to transition from a state of being awake to a state of sleep, often in a gentle or unintended manner.
Usage
This verb describes the natural, often slow, process of beginning to sleep. It implies a lack of conscious effort to fall asleep and is frequently used when sleep comes during a passive or relaxed activity. It is not used for intentionally going to bed.
Examples
- After reading a few pages, she began to drift off.
- I was so tired that I drifted off in front of the television.
- The gentle hum of the car engine made the baby drift off.
Advanced Usage
- "to drift off into sleep": A slightly more formal or emphatic variant of the phrasal verb.
- Lying in the meadow, he drifted off into sleep.
Variants and Related Words
- Drift (verb): In this context, it carries the sense of moving or passing gradually into a different state.
- Doze off (verb): A very close synonym, often used interchangeably with "drift off."
Synonyms
- Fall asleep
- Doze off
- Drop off
- Nod off
Related Phrasal Verbs
- Drop off: To fall asleep, often suddenly or briefly.
- I dropped off for a few minutes during the meeting.
- Nod off: To fall asleep, especially for a short time and often when one is trying to stay awake (e.g., the head nods forward).
- He kept nodding off during the long lecture.
Verb
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change from a waking to a sleeping state
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he always falls asleep during lectures
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