- a person or thing that lags behind others: We’re waiting for a few stragglers, but all entries must be in by Wednesday, March 4th.
- a person, animal, ship, etc., that wanders around or strays from a path or course: The French steamer Tourny, a straggler from its convoy, was sunk by a German U-boat.There was a wood quail just 5 yards away on the trail, presumably a straggler from the covey.
- one of a number of persons or things scattered thinly or at irregular intervals in space or time: I didn’t see too many weeds in the garden—just two or three stragglers.
