What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
stray
Example
The stray dog was taken to the animal shelter. [stray: adjective]
Example
I accidentally strayed from the hiking trail and got lost. [strayed: verb]
Example
There was a stray sock on the floor that didn't belong there. [stray: adjective]
roam
Example
The children were allowed to roam around the park. [roam: verb]
Example
The nomads would roam the desert in search of water and food. [roam: verb]
Example
The museum visitors were free to roam around the exhibits at their own pace. [roam: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Roam is more commonly used than stray in everyday language. Roam is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while stray is less common and often used in specific situations, such as describing lost animals.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between stray and roam?
Both stray and roam are relatively informal words, but roam may be slightly more formal due to its wider usage and neutral connotations.
