astray
Astray (adverb) means Away from the correct path or intended route. Example: “The hikers wandered astray in the fog and missed the trailhead.”
How to use astray
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishOff the right path, either literally (lost) or figuratively (misbehaving).
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The hikers wandered _____ in the fog and missed the trailhead.
Etymology
From Old French estraier ("to stray"), ultimately from Latin extra ("beyond") plus vagari ("to wander").
Synonyms
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Rhymes for astray
See all rhymes for astray →Frequently asked questions
What does “astray” mean?
The word “astray” means away from the correct path or intended route. In plain terms, off the right path, either literally (lost) or figuratively (misbehaving).
How do you pronounce “astray”?
“Astray” is pronounced uh-STRAY (/əˈstɹeɪ/ in IPA).
How do you use “astray” in a sentence?
Here is “astray” used in a sentence: “The hikers wandered astray in the fog and missed the trailhead.”
What part of speech is “astray”?
“Astray” is an adverb.
Where does the word “astray” come from?
The word “astray” comes from Latin. From Old French estraier ("to stray"), ultimately from Latin extra ("beyond") plus vagari ("to wander").
Is “astray” a common word?
“Astray” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the C1 level.
How many meanings does “astray” have?
“Astray” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: away from the correct path or intended route.