# astray

/əˈstɹeɪ/ (US) · /ɐstɹˈeɪ/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/astray
Updated: 2026-08-27

## Senses

### 1. physically lost

adverb · CEFR B2

away from the right path or in the wrong direction.

For teachers: 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'.

### 2. morally or logically wrong

adverb · CEFR B2

away from what is right, honest, or correct.

For teachers: 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'.

## Examples

- The hikers went astray in the thick fog.
- The investigation went astray when the detectives focused on the wrong suspect for several weeks.
- Even the most meticulously planned corporate mergers can go astray if the underlying cultures of the two organizations are fundamentally incompatible.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.