26984 words

stray

8 definitions • 14 examples
1
to travel along a route that was not originally intended, or to move outside a limited area:

Examples:

A herd of cattle had strayed into the road.
They got lost when they strayed too far from the path.
The ship strayed off course during the storm.
2
to start thinking or talking about a different subject from the one you should be giving attention to:

Examples:

I think we've strayed too far from our original plan.
Sorry - I've strayed from the subject.
3
a pet that no longer has a home or cannot find its home:

Examples:

a stray dog
"Who owns that cat?" "I don't know. I think it must be a stray."
4
Stray things have moved apart from similar things and are not in their expected or intended place:

Examples:

There are still a few stray spots of paint on the window pane.
Several journalists have been killed or injured by stray bullets while reporting on the civil war.
5
to move away from a place where you should be or from a direction in which you should go:

Examples:

The children were told to stay together and not to stray.
The plane disappeared after straying several hundred miles off course.
6
(of an animal) having no home, or lost:

Examples:

Eric and Lise rescued the stray cat and named her Pashmina.
7
Stray also means happening by chance and lacking direction:

Examples:

It was just a stray thought I had while washing the dishes.
8
an animal that is lost or has no home:

Examples:

We have given a home to a number of strays.

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