astray
[ uh-strey ]
/ əˈstreɪ /
adverb, adjective
out of the right way; off the correct or known road, path, or route: Despite specific instructions, they went astray and got lost.
away from that which is right; into error, confusion, or undesirable action or thought: They were led astray by their lust for money.
Nearby words
astral, astral body, astrally, astrangia, astraphobia, astray, astrict, astriction, astrid, astride, astringe
Origin of astray
1250–1300; Middle English astraye < Anglo-French *astraié, Old French estraié, past participle of estraier; see stray
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019
Examples from the Web for astray
British Dictionary definitions for astray
astray
/ (əˈstreɪ) /
adjective, adverb (postpositive)
out of the correct path or direction
out of the right, good, or expected way; into error
Word Origin for astray
C13: from Old French estraie roaming, from estraier to stray
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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Word Origin and History for astray
astray
c.1300, astraied "away from home; lost," borrowed and partially nativized from Old French estraie, past participle of estraier "astray, riderless (of a horse), lost," literally "on stray" (see stray (v.)).
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
Idioms and Phrases with astray
astray
see best-laid plans go astray; go astray.
The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.