- out of the correct path or direction
- out of the right, good, or expected way; into error
WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026
a•stray /əˈstreɪ/USA pronunciation
adv.
adj. [be + ~]
WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026- off the correct or known path or route;
lost:The letter must have gone astray. - away into error, confusion, or undesirable action or thought:Wicked companions led her astray.
adj. [be + ~]
- lost:I was astray and couldn't find my way.
- confused;
in error:was astray in those calculations.
a•stray
(ə strā′),USA pronunciation adv., adj.
- 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.
- Anglo-French *astraié, Old French estraié, past participle of estraier; see stray
- Middle English astraye 1250–1300
Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::
astray /əˈstreɪ/ adj , adv (postpositive)
'lead astray' also found in these entries (note: many are not synonyms or translations):