stray meaning and definition

STRAY noun

Definition of stray (noun)

1. an animal that has strayed (especially a domestic animal)

STRAY verb

Definition of stray (verb)

1. move about aimlessly or without any destination, often in search of food or employment
   • "The gypsies roamed the woods"; "roving vagabonds"; "the wandering Jew"; "The cattle roam across the prairie"; "the laborers drift from one town to the next"; "They rolled from town to town"
   • synonyms: cast, drift, ramble, range, roam, roll, rove, swan, tramp, vagabond, wander
2. wander from a direct course or at random
   • "The child strayed from the path and her parents lost sight of her"; "don't drift from the set course"
   • synonyms: drift, err
3. lose clarity or turn aside especially from the main subject of attention or course of argument in writing, thinking, or speaking
   • "She always digresses when telling a story"; "her mind wanders"; "Don't digress when you give a lecture"
   • synonyms: digress, divagate, wander

STRAY adjective

Definition of stray (adjective)

1. not close together in time
   • "isolated instances of rebellion"; "a few stray crumbs"
   • synonyms: isolated
2. (of an animal) having no home or having wandered away from home
   • "a stray calf"; "a stray dog"