Word
astray
US/əˈstɹeɪ/
UK/ɐstɹˈeɪ/
Adverb of place
Definitions
01physically lost
B2 · Upper Intermediate
adv. away from the right path or in the wrong direction.
adv. away from the correct or intended route; physically lost or misdirected.
“The hikers went astray in the thick fog and couldn't find their camp.”
“Several important documents went astray during the office relocation, causing significant delays in the audit process.”
Usage
Commonly follows the verbs 'go' or 'lead'.
Antonyms
02morally or logically wrong
B2 · Upper Intermediate
adv. away from what is right, honest, or correct.
adv. into error, wrongdoing, or moral deviation.
“He was a good student until he was led astray by a bad group of friends.”
“The investigation was led astray by a series of misleading tips that pointed toward the wrong suspect.”
Usage
Frequently used in the passive construction 'be led astray'.
Etymology
From Middle English astraien or by apheresis straien, from Old French estraier (“to stray”), from late Medieval Latin extravagari (“to wander beyond”), from Latin extra (“beyond”) + vagārī (“to wander, stray”).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Related words
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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