Definition of awry

The word "awry" has an interesting origin. It dates back to the 13th century and comes from the Old English words "agre" and "wri", which meant "to go astray" or "to turn aside". In Middle English, the word "awry" emerged, initially meaning "at a wrong or indirect angle" or "not in a straight line". Over time, the word's meaning expanded to include concepts of being off-target, misguided, or even mischievous. In modern English, "awry" is often used to describe a situation or action that has gone wrong or taken an unexpected turn. For example, "The company's finances went awry after the financial crisis" or "The plan went awry due to unforeseen circumstances". Despite its evolution, the word "awry" retains its roots in the idea of something deviating from its intended path or direction.