astray
uh-STRAY
Astray (adverb) means Away from the correct path or intended route. Example: “The hikers wandered astray in the fog and missed the trailhead.”
adverb
1
Away from the correct path or intended route.
"The hikers wandered astray in the fog and missed the trailhead."
2
Away from proper or moral behavior; into wrongdoing.
"Bad company led him astray during his teenage years."
How to use astray
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishOff the right path, either literally (lost) or figuratively (misbehaving).
Common pairings
lead someone astray
go astray
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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
View more →Antonyms
Related words
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.
