What does stray mean?
“Stray” describes something that has left the proper path, group, owner, or course. As an adjective, it commonly refers to a lost or wandering animal, especially a dog or cat: “The stray dog was brought to the shelter.” It can also describe something outside proper control, such as a stray bullet, a stray signal, or a stray thought. As a verb, “to stray” means to wander away from the expected route or leave a group without permission: “The horses strayed beyond the fence.” The noun refers to a person or animal that has become lost or separated. In all these uses, the basic idea is departure from an intended or controlled path. The word can sound mildly disapproving when applied to people who leave a group, but it is often neutral or affectionate when referring to animals.
Having wandered away from one’s intended course, owner, group, or place; lost, uncontrolled, or outside the proper path.
"A stray kitten was hiding beneath the porch."
The adjective is especially common of animals, vehicles, bullets, signals, and ideas.
To wander away from the proper course, intended destination, or group.
"The pupils began to stray from the main path."
Often used when a person or animal leaves an organized group or supervised route without permission.
A person or animal that has wandered away or become separated from its home, owner, or group.
"The shelter cared for hundreds of strays."
The noun is less common than the adjective and verb forms.
Used for people or animals that are lost or have wandered away from their home, owner, or group.
"The rescue team brought several strays back to safety."
A stray is simply something that has left the path it was meant to follow.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does stray come from?
The word comes through Middle English from Old French estraier, meaning “to wander” or “go astray.” The Old French word was borrowed from Late Latin extrāre, derived from Latin extrā, meaning “outside” or “beyond.” The same Latin root also underlies “astray,” “estranged,” and “extraneous,” all of which share the idea of being outside a proper or usual course.
Related word forms
How stray is actually used
“Stray” is common for lost or wandering animals, people, vehicles, bullets, and signals. In the sense of leaving a group without permission, it often implies lack of control or guidance. The noun sense is less frequent than the adjective and verb senses.
Easily confused with stray
“Stray” describes someone or something that has wandered away, while “astray” describes the state of being lost from the correct path or course.
“Stray” refers to being lost, uncontrolled, or wandering, whereas “strange” usually means unusual, unfamiliar, or eccentric.