straggler

[ strag-ler ]

noun

1. a person or thing that lags behind others:

   We’re waiting for a few stragglers, but all entries must be in by Wednesday, March 4th.

2. a person, animal, ship, etc., that wanders around or strays from a path or course:

   The French steamer Tourny, a straggler from its convoy, was sunk by a German U-boat.

   There was a wood quail just 5 yards away on the trail, presumably a straggler from the covey.

3. one of a number of persons or things scattered thinly or at irregular intervals in space or time:

   I didn’t see too many weeds in the garden—just two or three stragglers.

Word History and Origins

Origin of straggler¹

First recorded in 1525–35; straggle ( def ) + -er ¹( def )

Example Sentences

The bulls came in groups of three or four, followed by an occasional straggler.

From The Daily Beast

It cannot, however, be looked upon as anything more than a very rare occasional straggler, by no means occurring every year.

From Project Gutenberg

He turned to this gaunt straggler, supposing him to be "somebody's darling," and entered into conversation with him.

From Project Gutenberg

Testing out his theory he picked up a straggler, a man he knew but slightly, who happened to wander into the club at that moment.

From Project Gutenberg

At length we began to come upon various articles that had apparently been thrown away by the straggler.

From Project Gutenberg

The last swift I observed was about the 21st August; it was a straggler.

From Project Gutenberg