astray

[ uh-strey ]

adverb

1. out of the right way; off the correct or known road, path, or route:

   Despite specific instructions, they went astray and got lost.

2. away from that which is right; into error, confusion, or undesirable action or thought:

   They were led astray by their lust for money.

astray

/ əˈstreɪ /

adjective

1. out of the correct path or direction
2. out of the right, good, or expected way; into error

Word History and Origins

Origin of astray¹

1250–1300; Middle English astraye < Anglo-French *astraié, Old French estraié, past participle of estraier; stray

Word History and Origins

Origin of astray¹

C13: from Old French estraie roaming, from estraier to stray

Idioms and Phrases

see best-laid plans go astray ; go astray .

Example Sentences

Project 2025 calls for a repeal of the nation’s dietary guidelines on the grounds that they’ve gone astray by considering the environmental impact of food production.

From Los Angeles Times

They can recognize that they are being lied to, even being manipulated, but still they believe that somewhere inside the sociopath there is a human being like they are, perhaps a hurting soul gone astray.

From Slate

That all may be true, but it clearly went astray, and it appears the second trail seen on the video came from a Russian Su-57 jet, apparently chasing it down.

From BBC

He appears as the loving coach who celebrates the success of others and takes pleasure when his children actually do better than he did; the attentive parent who chides, without rejecting, the child who goes astray.

From Slate

The problem is: sometimes regret can lead us astray, like when we used a good process and made a good choice, it just didn’t work out in your favor this time.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• afield
• awry