adrift

adjective, adverb

1. floating without control; drifting; not anchored or moored: The survivors were adrift in the rowboat for three days.
2. lacking aim, direction, or stability.

adjective, adverb (postpositive)

1. floating without steering or mooring; drifting
2. without purpose; aimless
3. informal off course or amissthe project went adrift

adv.

1620s, from a- (1) “on” + drift. Figurative use by 1680s.