stray
stray
/streɪ/
A domestic animal that has wandered away from home or become lost.
Applies to lost or lost domestic pets accustomed to human contact, unlike wild feral animals.
The story behind the word. From Old French 'estraier' (to wander without an owner), derived from Latin 'extra' (outside) and 'vagari' (wander). It originally designated livestock found wandering on public roads.
Word relationships
- waif: 'Waif' refers poetically or archaicly to a homeless, helpless creature.
- pet: A pet lives in a secure home with a dedicated caregiver.
Commonly confused with
- feral: A 'stray' pet is lost and friendly with humans, while a 'feral' animal is wild and unaccustomed to human touch.
Word family
- straying (noun): The action of wandering away.
Collocations
- stray cat
- stray dog
- stray animal
Idioms & expressions
- stray from the path
Example sentences
- "A stray retriever was wandering around the park looking hungry, so neighbors checked its collar tag." Neighborhood notice
Memory hook
STRAY pets STRAY away from home. A lost pet seeking home.
When not to use
Do not use for undomesticated or wild-born animals living in the wild; use 'feral' for those.
Fun facts
- Many lost stray dogs travel surprisingly long distances following scents before being found by animal control.
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