adverb
astray
uh-STRAY
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").