astray

[uh-strey]

adverb

1. out of the right way; off the correct or known road, path, or route.

   Despite specific instructions, they went astray and got lost.

2. away from that which is right; into error, confusion, or undesirable action or thought.

   They were led astray by their lust for money.

astray

/ əˈstreɪ /

adjective

1. out of the correct path or direction

2. out of the right, good, or expected way; into error

Word History and Origins

Origin of astray¹

1250–1300; Middle English astraye < Anglo-French *astraié, Old French estraié, past participle of estraier; stray

Word History and Origins

Origin of astray¹

C13: from Old French estraie roaming, from estraier to _stray

Idioms and Phrases

see best-laid plans go astray; go astray.

Example Sentences

They likely are wasting their time: the data these early birds obtain don’t provide an advantage — and may actually lead them astray.

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“Let me hold that book, if you please. It belongs to Lord Fredrick, and I do not want it going astray again.”

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If not for Old Timothy leading the hounds astray until she and the children had nearly reached the house, they would have been at the mercy of Lord Fredrick’s wild shots.

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And that schism is not because rural voters misunderstand their “self-interest” or because racial dog whistles have led them astray.

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Nearly 250 years later, as we continue to debate what the Founders intended, we may find at times that we’ve been led astray by legend, hornswoggled by hand-me-down history.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• afield 
• awry