What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
astray
Example
The hiker went astray and got lost in the dense forest. [astray: adverb]
Example
The map led us astray, and we ended up in the wrong city. [astray: adjective]
lost
Example
I got lost in the maze and couldn't find my way out. [lost: adjective]
Example
She lost her keys and spent hours searching for them. [lost: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Lost is more commonly used than astray in everyday language. Lost is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while astray is less common and may have a slightly more formal or literary connotation.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between astray and lost?
While astray can have a slightly more formal or literary connotation, lost is more commonly used in both formal and informal contexts.
