straggle Meaning & Definition
What Does Straggle Mean?
Straggle is used as a verb meaning To stray, rove, or wander from a normal course and others of its kind. It can also mean To act in a disorderly and irregular way. As a noun, it means An irregular, spread-out group.
Word Facts for Straggle
| Part of speech | verb, noun |
|---|---|
| Pronunciation | /ˈstɹæɡl̩/ |
| Synonyms | stray, depart and digress |
| Plural | straggles |
| Verb forms | straggles, straggling, straggled |
Straggle Definition (Verb)
- To stray, rove, or wander from a normal course and others of its kind.
He straggled away from the crowd and went off on his own.
- To act in a disorderly and irregular way.
- Grow or hang messily.
The roses had been allowed to straggle across the path.
- To move along slowly so as to remain some distance behind the person or people in front.
Straggle as a Noun
- An irregular, spread-out group.
- An outlier; something that has strayed beyond the normal limits.
Verb
- To stray from the road, course or line of march.
He straggled away from the crowd and went off on his own.
- To wander about; ramble.
- To spread at irregular intervals.
- To escape or stretch beyond proper limits, as the branches of a plant; to spread widely apart; to shoot too far or widely in growth.
- To be dispersed or separated; to occur at intervals.
Synonyms of Straggle
Straggle synonyms and antonyms →Straggle in a Sentence
He straggled away from the crowd and went off on his own.
The roses had been allowed to straggle across the path.
A few gray wisps straggled from underneath his cap.
Word Forms & Grammar
straggle (third-person singular simple present straggles, present participle straggling, simple past and past participle straggled)
straggle (plural straggles)
Words That Rhyme With Straggle
Origin of Straggle
From Middle English straglen, of uncertain origin, possibly from (or cognate to) dialectal Norwegian stragla (“to walk laboriously”).
Common Questions About Straggle
Is straggle a verb or a noun?
Straggle is mainly used as a verb, but it can also be used as a noun.
What is another word for straggle?
Close synonyms of straggle are stray, depart and digress. See the full list of straggle synonyms and antonyms.
What is the plural of straggle?
The plural of straggle is straggles.
What is the past tense of straggle?
The past tense of straggle is straggled. The present participle is straggling.
More About Straggle On Meaning Stash
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