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astray

[ uh-strey ]
/ əˈstreɪ /
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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.
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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. 2023

How to use astray in a sentence

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 Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other 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.
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