drifts, drifting, drifted

to drift apart
phrasal verb

To gradually become less close or connected with someone
  • 1Over the years, they drifted apart and lost touch.
  • 2After college, many friends drift apart as they start new lives.
When two people do not talk or spend time together as much as before, their friendship or relationship becomes weaker. They slowly stop sharing things and do not feel as close as they once did. Over time, they may feel like strangers to each other.
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People often use "drift apart" when talking about old school friends who lose contact after graduation because their lives go in different directions.
in a restaurant
Catching Up Over Lunch
Laura
It's been so long since we last met, John.
John
I know, Laura. I feel like we've started to drift apart since I moved to the new city.
Laura
Yeah, life just got so busy for both of us.
John
Let's try to meet more often and catch up.
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Similar to "to drift apart":
  • 1separate
  • 2grow apart