Meaning & Definition of Stray in English

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

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"

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"

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"

1. Not close together in time

• "Isolated instances of rebellion"

• "A few stray crumbs"

2. (of an animal) having no home or having wandered away from home

• "A stray calf"

• "A stray dog"