Stray meaning

What does “stray” mean? Definitions, examples, synonyms and opposites.

“stray” is a noun, verb and adjective with 6 meanings. Its most common meaning is: an animal that has strayed (especially a domestic animal).

stray

move about aimlessly or without any destination, often in search of food or employment
“The gypsies roamed the woods”
“roving vagabonds”
Synonymsroll wander swan tramp roam cast ramble rove
wander from a direct course or at random
“The child strayed from the path and her parents lost sight of her”
“don't drift from the set course”
Synonymserr drift
lose clarity or turn aside especially from the main subject of attention or course of argument in writing, thinking, or speaking
“She always digresses when telling a story”
“her mind wanders”
Synonymsdigress divagate wander

not close together in time
“isolated instances of rebellion”
“a few stray crumbs”
Synonymsisolated
(of an animal) having no home or having wandered away from home
“a stray calf”
“a stray dog”

Source: WordNet 3.1, Princeton University