1. Lost or wandering from the right path or direction: This is the most common meaning. It can refer to being physically lost, like a traveler in the wilderness, or metaphorically lost, like someone who has made bad choices.
Examples:
* "The hikers got lost and wandered astray in the dense forest."
* "He had strayed from the teachings of his faith."
2. Away from the proper course or standard: This definition emphasizes being wrong or incorrect. It can be used to describe actions, opinions, or thoughts that deviate from what's considered acceptable or correct.
Examples:
* "The construction crew strayed from the original blueprints."
* "Her argument strayed from the main topic."
In both cases, "astray" implies a deviation from the intended or expected course. It carries a sense of being wrong, lost, or misguided.