drift and roll share a recorded sense, so the question is not what they mean but which one fits. drift means “be in motion due to some air or water current”. roll means “move by turning over or rotating”. roll is the more common of the two in everyday English.
/ˈdɹɪft/
1.v.be in motion due to some air or water current
“The leaves were blowing in the wind”
2.v.wander from a direct course or at random
“The child strayed from the path and her parents lost sight of her”
3.v.move about aimlessly or without any destination, often in search of food or employment
“The gypsies roamed the woods”
/ˈɹoʊl/
1.v.move by turning over or rotating
“The child rolled down the hill”
2.v.move along on or as if on wheels or a wheeled vehicle
“The President's convoy rolled past the crowds”
3.v.occur in soft rounded shapes
“The hills rolled past”
| drift | roll | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | /ˈdɹɪft/ | /ˈɹoʊl/ |
| Said | drift | rohl |
| Syllables | 1 | 1 |
| Letters | 5 | 4 |
| Parts of speech | verb, noun | verb, noun |
| Senses | 17 | 33 |
| How common | Common | Core |
| Synonyms | float, be adrift, blow | turn over |
Full entry for drift · Full entry for roll · More comparisons