straggle

1 of 2

verb

strag·​gle ˈstra-gəl 

straggled; straggling ˈstra-g(ə-)liŋ 

intransitive verb

1

: to wander from the direct course or way : rove, stray

People straggled off the train.

2

: to trail off from others of its kind

little cabins straggling off into the woods

straggler

ˈstra-g(ə-)lər 

noun

straggle

2 of 2

noun

: a straggling group (as of persons or objects)

Examples of straggle in a Sentence

Verb

The children straggled in from outside.

People straggled off the train.

She straggled behind the rest of the group.

Branches straggled out and blocked the path.

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

The terrain can be treacherous, but the guide offered patience and grace for our entire group, slowing down without comment when someone was straggling and prioritizing water breaks. —Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 17 June 2026

The county’s share of liquor revenue dropped by several hundred thousand dollars, Tripple said, part of a plan executed at the end of the session to divert liquor revenue to state police to make up for straggling wages. —Idaho Statesman, 15 June 2026

Noun

In the small Campo dei Tolentini, presided over by the haughty neoclassical columns of the eponymous church, a queue straggles from a tiny bar. —Rebecca Ann Hughes, Forbes.com, 19 Sep. 2025

Katie Goh Ponders Citrus in Art and Life Along the Himalayan massif, the remnant straggles of ancient citrus groves sprawl. —Literary Hub, 7 May 2025

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle English straglen

First Known Use

Verb

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1865, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for straggle

• gaggle
• haggle
• vagal

Kids Definition

straggle

verb

strag·​gle

ˈstrag-əl

straggled; straggling

-(ə-)liŋ

1

: to wander from a course or way : rove, stray

2

: to trail off from others of its kind

little cabins straggling off into the woods

straggler

-(ə-)lər

noun