What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
aberrate
Example
The results of the experiment aberrated from the predicted outcome. [aberrated: verb]
Example
The child's behavior was aberrant and concerning to the teacher. [aberrant: adjective]
stray
Example
The lost dog strayed from its home and was found wandering in the park. [strayed: verb]
Example
I accidentally strayed from the hiking trail and got lost in the woods. [strayed: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Stray is more commonly used than aberrate in everyday language. Stray is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while aberrate is less common and typically used in technical or scientific contexts.
Whatโs the difference in the tone of formality between aberrate and stray?
Aberrate is more formal than stray. It is often used in academic or technical writing, while stray is more casual and can be used in both formal and informal contexts.