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

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

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

There’s no space to go astray; their energy is concentrated.

From Los Angeles Times

Unfortunately, marketing, preexisting beliefs, and "intuitions" – as reasonable as they may seem – have potential to lead us astray.

From Salon

Related Words

• afield
• awry