stray
Stray (verb) means to wander away from where you should be, or to drift off a planned path or topic. Example: “The dog strayed from the yard and wandered into town.”
How to use stray
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo wander off course, or (as an adjective) something/someone lost or out of place, like a stray animal.
Word forms
more stray comparative, strayer comparative, strayed past tense, strays singular, strayest superlative, most stray superlative
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The dog _____ from the yard and wandered into town.
Etymology
From Old French estraier, tied to the idea of wandering off the main road ("strata"), and blended with an Old English word meaning to scatter.
Related words
Rhymes for stray
See all rhymes for stray →Frequently asked questions
What does “stray” mean?
The word “stray” means to wander away from where you should be, or to drift off a planned path or topic. In plain terms, to wander off course, or (as an adjective) something/someone lost or out of place, like a stray animal.
How do you pronounce “stray”?
“Stray” is pronounced stray (/stɹeɪ/ in IPA).
How do you use “stray” in a sentence?
Here is “stray” used in a sentence: “The dog strayed from the yard and wandered into town.”
What part of speech is “stray”?
Depending on how it is used, “stray” can be a verb and an adjective.
Where does the word “stray” come from?
The word “stray” comes from Old French. From Old French estraier, tied to the idea of wandering off the main road ("strata"), and blended with an Old English word meaning to scatter.
Is “stray” a common word?
“Stray” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the C1 level.
How many meanings does “stray” have?
“Stray” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to wander away from where you should be, or to drift off a planned path or topic.
What is the difference between a stray animal and a wild animal?
A stray animal is one that has wandered away from an owner or home and is found somewhere it doesn't belong, meaning it was once cared for by humans. A wild animal, by contrast, has never been owned or domesticated in the first place.
Can stray be used for something other than animals?
Yes, stray can describe anyone or anything that wanders away from where it should be, such as a stray bullet, a stray comment, or a person who strays off a planned path or topic.
Is stray used differently as a verb versus an adjective?
As a verb, stray describes the action of wandering off, as in 'the dog strayed from the yard.' As an adjective, it describes the resulting state, as in 'a stray dog' or 'a stray hair,' meaning something found out of place.