Stray - Meaning, Definition & English Examples
Stray means to wander away from a set path or place, often unintentionally. It can describe a lost animal or someone who deviates from the expected course, physically or metaphorically.
Definition:
To wander away from a set path or place, or an animal without an owner.
Synonyms:
wander, roam, drift, meander
Part of Speech:
verb, noun, adjective
Antonyms:
stay, remain
Common Collocations:
stray cat, stray dog, stray thought, stray bullet
Derivatives:
strays, straying, strayed
Usage Tips:
Use "stray" for animals without owners or things deviating from their path; avoid overuse in formal contexts.
Common Phrases:
stray from the path, a stray thought, go astray
Etymology:
From Old French "estraier," meaning to wander or roam; related to "street."
Examples:
- 1. The cat is a stray and needs a home.
- 2. Don’t stray too far from the group during the hike.
- 3. A stray dog followed us home yesterday.
- 4. Her mind began to stray during the long lecture.