How Do You Spell STRAY?

Pronunciation: [stɹˈe͡ɪ] (IPA)

The word "stray" is spelled with the letters "s-t-r-a-y" and is pronounced /streɪ/. It is a verb that means to wander off or become lost, and can also be used as an adjective to describe something or someone that is lost or wandering. The "s" and "t" sounds retain their usual pronunciation, while the "r" and "a" create a diphthong /eɪ/ which gives the word its distinctive sound. The "y" acts as a vowel in this word, representing the sound /ɪ/.

Meaning and Definition
Top Common Misspellings
Other Common Misspellings
Etymology
Idioms
Similar spelling words
Plural
Conjugate verb
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STRAY Meaning and Definition

  1. Stray is a term that can be used as a verb, noun, or adjective. As a verb, it refers to the act of moving away or deviating from a familiar or intended course or path. This could include getting lost or wandering away from a particular place or group. For example, a lost dog could be said to have strayed from its owner or home.

    As a noun, stray describes an animal, typically a cat or dog, that has wandered away from its home or owner and is without a specific place to call home. Stray animals are often found on the streets, relying on the help of animal shelters or passersby for survival.

    Lastly, stray can also function as an adjective to describe something or someone that is not in its appropriate, expected, or usual place. For example, a stray ball on a playing field is one that has gone outside the designated area. In a figurative sense, it can be used to describe thoughts or comments that are unrelated or off-topic.

    Overall, stray is a versatile term that conveys the idea of departure or separation from a desired or expected state, whether it be physical, metaphorical, or in the context of animals.

  2. • To wander, as from a known road or place, from a company, or from proper limits; to ramble; to err; to go at large.
    • Having gone astray; wandering.
    • An animal that has wandered.

    Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.

Top Common Misspellings for STRAY *

* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.

Other Common Misspellings for STRAY

Etymology of STRAY

The word "stray" originated from the Old English word "stræcġian" which means "to go, wend, move, or stretch". It can be traced back to Proto-Germanic and Proto-Indo-European roots. Over time, the word evolved and took on the specific meaning of "to wander from a proper place" or "to go off course". The concept of being a stray animal, which is commonly associated with the word today, came from the idea of wandering or going astray from its intended location or home.

Idioms with the word STRAY

  • stray onto sth The idiom "stray onto sth" means to deviate from or wander onto a specific topic, subject, or area unintentionally or unknowingly. It implies going off track or getting involved in something irrelevant or unrelated to the original conversation or purpose.
  • stray in(to sth) The idiom "stray into (something)" means to unintentionally enter or become involved in a situation or topic that was not originally intended or planned. It implies going off course or deviating from one's intended path.
  • stray (away) (from sth) The idiom "stray (away) (from sth)" refers to deviating or getting off course from a particular path, plan, or topic. It suggests the act of diverging or wandering away from the intended direction, purpose, or focus.

Similar spelling words for STRAY

Plural form of STRAY is STRAYS

Conjugate verb Stray

CONDITIONAL

I would stray
you would stray
he/she/it would stray
we would stray
they would stray

CONDITIONAL CONTINUOUS

I would be straying
you would be straying
he/she/it would be straying
we would be straying
they would be straying

CONDITIONAL PERFECT

I would have stray
you would have stray
he/she/it would have stray
we would have stray
they would have stray

CONDITIONAL PERFECT CONTINUOUS

I would have been straying
you would have been straying
he/she/it would have been straying
we would have been straying
they would have been straying

FUTURE

I will stray
you will stray
he/she/it will stray
we will stray
they will stray

FUTURE CONTINUOUS

I will be straying
you will be straying
he/she/it will be straying
we will be straying
they will be straying

FUTURE PERFECT

I will have strayed
you will have strayed
he/she/it will have strayed
we will have strayed
they will have strayed

FUTURE PERFECT CONTINUOUS

I will have been straying
you will have been straying
he/she/it will have been straying
we will have been straying
they will have been straying

IMPERATIVE

you stray
we let´s stray

NONFINITE VERB FORMS

to stray

PAST

I strayed
you strayed
he/she/it strayed
we strayed
they strayed

PAST CONTINUOUS

I was straying
you were straying
he/she/it was straying
we were straying
they were straying

PAST PARTICIPLE

strayed

PAST PERFECT

I had strayed
you had strayed
he/she/it had strayed
we had strayed
they had strayed

PAST PERFECT CONTINUOUS

I had been straying
you had been straying
he/she/it had been straying
we had been straying
they had been straying

PRESENT

I stray
you stray
he/she/it strays
we stray
they stray

PRESENT CONTINUOUS

I am straying
you are straying
he/she/it is straying
we are straying
they are straying

PRESENT PARTICIPLE

straying

PRESENT PERFECT

I have strayed
you have strayed
he/she/it has strayed
we have strayed
they have strayed

PRESENT PERFECT CONTINUOUS

I have been straying
you have been straying
he/she/it has been straying
we have been straying
they have been straying
I would have strayed
we would have strayed
you would have strayed
he/she/it would have strayed
they would have strayed