To drift or float (e.g. on water or in air); to be carried along without a fixed direction.
小さなボートが波に漂っていた。
A small boat was drifting on the waves.
秋の落ち葉が池の上をゆっくりと漂っている。
Autumn leaves are slowly floating on the pond.
霧が海上に漂い、視界が悪くなった。
Mist drifted over the sea and visibility became poor.
To waft (a scent, smoke, etc.); to hang in the air so that it can be smelled or noticed.
台所からおいしそうな匂いが漂ってきた。
A delicious smell wafted from the kitchen.
コーヒーの香りが店内に漂っている。
The aroma of coffee is hanging in the shop.
焚き火の煙が森に漂っていた。
Smoke from the bonfire was drifting through the forest.
A feeling, mood, or atmosphere that seems to be present in the air (e.g. tension, expectation); an aura that people can sense.
会議室にはピリピリした緊張感が漂っていた。
A tense atmosphere hung in the conference room.
彼の発言には不安が漂っていた。
His words carried a sense of unease.
コンサート会場に期待の雰囲気が漂っている。
An air of anticipation is in the concert hall.
To wander or roam aimlessly; to walk around without a clear purpose.
彼は仕事を辞めてから毎晩夜の街を漂っていた。
After quitting his job, he wandered the streets every night.
休日は気ままに町を漂うのが好きだ。
I like to wander around town aimlessly on my days off.
Archaic: to be unsteady or unstable; to be in an unsettled state (old/literary usage).
古い物語では、国が争いのために漂うと書かれている。
In old tales it is written that the country was in an unsettled condition because of conflicts.
Archaic: to falter, flinch, or wince; a momentary physical start or hesitation (old/literary usage).
その知らせに彼は一瞬言葉に漂いを見せた。（文語的表現）
At that news he showed a momentary falter in his words. (literary expression)
Archaic: to live in unstable or insecure circumstances; to lead a precarious life (old usage).
戦乱の時代、多くの人々が漂いつつ生きねばならなかった。（文語）
In times of war many people had to live a drifting, insecure life. (literary)