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

In Germany and the U.K., less contraction among low performing firms—often stragglers—and reallocation to leading ones—often standouts—reduced economy-wide productivity growth relative to the U.S. by a full percentage point.

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Debris from the explosion reached even farther afield, showering stragglers from the evacuation of Futaba.

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The city’s problems — including homelessness and associated grittiness — were apparent at the corners of the crowds, even as chipper convention ambassadors and security officers moved would-be stragglers along.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

“She’s gone, dance on. See you in April,” the festival posted Monday, announcing that all GA and VIP passes were spoken for, and inviting any stragglers to join wait lists for both weekends.

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The ship happened to have recently rolled out a new “solo traveler” package, so surely there would be other lonely stragglers eager to make new friends.

Read more on Salon