awry

[uh-rahy]

adverb

1. with a turn or twist to one side; askew.

   to glance or look awry.

2. away from the expected or proper direction; amiss; wrong.

   Our plans went awry.

awry

/ əˈraɪ /

adverb

1. with a slant or twist to one side; askew

2. away from the appropriate or right course; amiss

Word History and Origins

Origin of awry¹

First recorded in 1325–75, awry is from Middle English on wry. See a- ¹, wry

Word History and Origins

Origin of awry¹

C14 on wry; see _a- ², _wry

Example Sentences

They label the frequent mistakes and fabrications produced by AI bots as “hallucinations,” which suggests that the bots have perceptions that may have gone slightly awry.

From Los Angeles Times

The head of the UN's Palestinian refugee agency Unrwa, Philippe Lazzarini, said earlier on Saturday that air drops are "expensive, inefficient, and can even kill starving civilians" if they go awry.

From BBC

On a nervy night at Marvel Stadium, Jamie Osborne and Darcy Graham scored early tries to put the Lions into what looked like a commanding 14-0 lead, but things started to go awry from there.

From BBC

One pilot project went disastrously awry — increasing the time needed to process the paperwork.

From Los Angeles Times

Yet her plans go awry when she finds herself losing one of her most valuable tools.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• amiss 
• askew 
• astray 
• wrong