French word

dérive

Pronunciation

IPA/deʁiv/

Meaning

  • feminine nounslippage

Example

Il y a une dérive importante dans le calendrier.

There is significant slippage in the schedule.

Illustration for dérive (slippage)

More examples

La dérive des prix complique le budget des ménages.

The drift in prices complicates the budget of households.

Core concept

A course that slips away from a reference line, plan, or intended path.

Common phrases

  • risque de dérive

    risk of drift

  • dérive des prix

    drift in prices

  • prévenir les dérives

    prevent drift

Similar words

écart: A difference from a standard or average.
décalage: A shift in a schedule or timing.
déviation: A departure from the intended route or plan.
glissement: A gradual sliding movement of an object or position.

Definition in French

Mouvement, concret ou figuré, d'éloignement d'un point de référence, parfois involontaire ou incontrôlé.

Word origin

Dérive comes from French dériver and ultimately Latin dērīvāre, from de- meaning 'away' and rivus meaning 'stream'.

Usage tips

  • In planning contexts, dérive can describe schedule slippage or deviation, not only physical drifting.

Other meanings

  • deviationnoun
  • driftnoun

Opposites

  • régularitéregularitynoun
  • ordreordernoun

Related words

  • dérivationderivationnoun
  • dérivéderivedadjective

Word lists with this word