How to pronounce astray
Say it like uh-STRAY. Astray has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (STRAY).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce astray. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- uh
- STRAY
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Astray pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- uhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- STRAYSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ay" in day.
American vs British pronunciation of astray
American and British speakers say astray in essentially the same way: /əˈstreɪ/ in the US and /əˈstreɪ/ in the UK.
British respelling: uh-STRAY.
What does astray mean?
- Away from the proper path; in a wrong or unknown direction.
- Away from what is right and good; into error or evil.
Where does astray come from?
From Middle English astraien or by apheresis straien, from Old French estraier (“to stray”), from late Medieval Latin extravagari (“to wander beyond”), from Latin extra (“beyond”) + vagārī (“to wander, stray”).
Words that rhyme with astray
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of astray.
Questions about saying astray
How do you pronounce astray?
Say uh-STRAY. The American pronunciation is /əˈstreɪ/. In British English it is /əˈstreɪ/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in astray?
Astray has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (STRAY). Broken into parts: uh · STRAY.
Do Americans and Brits say astray the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /əˈstreɪ/ and the British form is /əˈstreɪ/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.