straggler

[ strag-ler ]

noun

1. a person or thing that lags behind others:

   We’re waiting for a few stragglers, but all entries must be in by Wednesday, March 4th.

2. a person, animal, ship, etc., that wanders around or strays from a path or course:

   The French steamer Tourny, a straggler from its convoy, was sunk by a German U-boat.

   There was a wood quail just 5 yards away on the trail, presumably a straggler from the covey.

3. one of a number of persons or things scattered thinly or at irregular intervals in space or time:

   I didn’t see too many weeds in the garden—just two or three stragglers.

Word History and Origins

Origin of straggler¹

First recorded in 1525–35; straggle ( def ) + -er ¹( def )

Example Sentences

The pace is not set by the slowest walker, and urban walks don’t include “sweep” people at the back to gather up stragglers.

From Los Angeles Times

The Republicans pushed the illusion of momentum to motivate any stragglers to go with the perceived winner.

From Salon

Even Hezbollah security officials, normally a constant presence on the streets here, were scarce, with only a few stragglers posted near struck areas.

From Los Angeles Times

A few hundred stragglers moved their home to the nearby MacDonald Ice rumples and kept the group going.

From BBC

Scores of stragglers dropped behind the retreating columns, hobbling alone or in twos or threes and struggling desperately to stay in touch with their units.

From Literature