dried /dra I d/
1 ADJ [ADJ n] Dried food or milk has had all the water removed from it so that it will last for a long time. □ …an infusion which may be prepared from the fresh plant or the dried herb.
2 → see also dry
drie d frui t (dried fruits ) N‑VAR Dried fruit is fruit that has been preserved by being dried; used especially to refer to currants, raisins, or sultanas, which are kinds of dried grapes.
drie d-u p
1 ADJ [usu ADJ n] If you describe someone as dried-up , you are saying rudely that they are old and dull, and not worth paying attention to. [INFORMAL , DISAPPROVAL ] □ …her fears of becoming a dried-up old prune.
2 → see also dry up
dri|er /dra I ə r / → see dry , dryer
drift ◆◇◇ /dr I ft/ (drifts , drifting , drifted )
1 VERB When something drifts somewhere, it is carried there by the movement of wind or water. □ [V adv/prep] We proceeded to drift on up the river. □ [V ] The waves became rougher as they drifted.
2 VERB If someone or something drifts into a situation, they get into that situation in a way that is not planned or controlled. □ [V prep/adv] We need to offer young people drifting into crime an alternative set of values. □ [V ] There is a general sense that the country and economy alike are drifting.
3 VERB If you say that someone drifts around, you mean that they travel from place to place without a plan or settled way of life. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ [V prep/adv] You've been drifting from job to job without any real commitment. [Also V ]
4 N‑COUNT A drift is a movement away from somewhere or something, or a movement towards somewhere or something different. □ …the drift towards the cities.
5 VERB To drift somewhere means to move there slowly or gradually. □ [V prep] As rural factories shed labour, people drift towards the cities.
6 VERB If sounds drift somewhere, they can be heard but they are not very loud. □ [V prep/adv] Cool summer dance sounds are drifting from the stereo indoors.
7 VERB If snow drifts , it builds up into piles as a result of the movement of the wind. □ [V ] The snow, except where it drifted, was only calf-deep.
8 N‑COUNT A drift is a mass of snow that has built up into a pile as a result of the movement of wind. □ …a nine-foot snow drift.
9 N‑SING The drift of an argument or speech is the general point that is being made in it. □ Grace was beginning to get his drift. [Also + of ]
▸ drift off PHRASAL VERB If you drift off to sleep, you gradually fall asleep. □ [V P + to ] It was only when he finally drifted off to sleep that the headaches eased. [Also V P ]
drift|er /dr I ftə r / (drifters ) N‑COUNT If you describe someone as a drifter , you mean that they do not stay in one place or in one job for very long. [DISAPPROVAL ]
drift|wood /dr I ftwʊd/ N‑UNCOUNT Driftwood is wood which has been carried onto the shore by the motion of the sea or a river, or which is still floating on the water.
drill /dr I l/ (drills , drilling , drilled )
1 N‑COUNT A drill is a tool or machine that you use for making holes. □ …pneumatic drills. □ …a dentist's drill.
2 VERB When you drill into something or drill a hole in something, you make a hole in it using a drill. □ [V prep] He drilled into the wall of Lili's bedroom. □ [V n] I drilled five holes at equal distance.
3 VERB When people drill for oil or water, they search for it by drilling deep holes in the ground or in the bottom of the sea. □ [V + for ] There have been proposals to drill for more oil. □ [V ] The team is still drilling. ● drill|ing N‑UNCOUNT □ Drilling is due to start early next year.
4 N‑COUNT A drill is a way that teachers teach their students something by making them repeat it many times. □ The teacher runs them through a drill–the days of the week, the weather and some counting.
5 VERB If you drill people, you teach them to do something by making them repeat it many times. □ [V n] He drills the choir to a high standard.
6 N‑VAR [oft N n] A drill is repeated training for a group of people, especially soldiers, so that they can do something quickly and efficiently. □ The Marines carried out a drill that included 18 ships and 90 aircraft.
7 N‑COUNT [oft n N ] A drill is a routine exercise or activity, in which people practise what they should do in dangerous situations. □ …a fire drill. □ …air-raid drills.
dri|ly /dra I li/ → see dry
drink ◆◆◇ /dr I ŋk/ (drinks , drinking , drank , drunk )
1 VERB When you drink a liquid, you take it into your mouth and swallow it. □ [V n] He drank his cup of tea. □ [V ] He drank thirstily from the pool under the rock.
2 VERB To drink means to drink alcohol. □ [V ] He was smoking and drinking too much. ● drink|ing N‑UNCOUNT □ She had left him because of his drinking.
3 N‑COUNT A drink is an amount of a liquid which you drink. □ [+ of ] I'll get you a drink of water.
4 N‑COUNT A drink is an alcoholic drink. □ She felt like a drink after a hard day.