Stray Definition

strā

strayed, straying, strays

verb

strayed, straying, strays

To move away from a group, deviate from a course, or escape from established limits.

Strayed away from the tour group to look at some sculptures.

American Heritage

To wander from a given place, limited area, direct course, etc., esp. aimlessly; roam; rove.

Webster's New World

To go wrong; be in error; deviate (from what is right)

Webster's New World

To move without a destination or purpose; wander.

Cows that strayed across the road toward the river.

American Heritage

To fail to concentrate; be inattentive or digress.

Webster's New World

Synonyms:

Antonyms:

Antonyms:
go direct
remain
stay

noun

A person or thing that strays; esp., a domestic animal wandering at large.

Webster's New World

Static interfering with radio reception.

Webster's New World

(figuratively) One who is lost, either literally or metaphorically.

Wiktionary

The act of wandering or going astray.

Wiktionary

adjective

Having strayed or wandered; lost.

Webster's New World

Scattered or separate.

A few stray crumbs.

American Heritage

Occurring alone or infrequently; isolated; incidental.

A few stray words.

Webster's New World

In the wrong place; misplaced.

A stray comma.

Wiktionary

Synonyms:

Other Word Forms of Stray

Noun

Singular:

stray

Plural:

strays

Origin of Stray

Middle English straien from Old French estraier from estree highway from Latin strāta street

From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition
From Middle English, from Old French estraier (verb), and estrai (noun), from Vulgar Latin via strata, paved road.

From Wiktionary