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awry — not in the correct position; not according to plan

Part of speech: ADJECTIVE

Definition: not in the correct position; not according to plan

Pronunciation (IPA): /əˈraɪ/

Example Sentences

  • The chef's plan went awry when he accidentally used salt instead of sugar in the cake.
  • Her hair was completely awry after riding the roller coaster.
  • The meeting went awry when the projector broke down.

awry

ADJECTIVE

[/əˈraɪ/]

not in the correct position; not according to plan

The plan went awry when the delivery truck broke down on the way to the event.
💡 Concept

The plan went awry when the delivery truck broke down on the way to the event.

The experiment went awry when the machine suddenly produced the wrong result. (Think: AWRY = off course → A + WRY(= twisted, crooked, or distorted.))
🧠 Mnemonic

The experiment went awry when the machine suddenly produced the wrong result. (Think: AWRY = off course → A + WRY(= twisted, crooked, or distorted.))

The painter's first try went awry, leaving the canvas dry and unfinished.
🎵 Rhyme

The painter's first try went awry, leaving the canvas dry and unfinished.

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🎤Pronunciation

🇺🇸 US/əˈraɪ/
🇬🇧 UK/əˈraɪ/

🌳Etymology

Prefixa--
Rootwry

Origin

From Middle English, combining 'a-' (meaning 'in a state of') with 'wry' (meaning twisted or turned aside). Originally described something that was physically crooked or turned from its proper position.

Breakdown

a- (in a state of) + wry (twisted, crooked)

🎵Rhyme

cry
dry
fly
try
sky

🔗Collocations

go awry
plans went awry
something awry
awry look
hang awry

📝Examples

😄 Fun example

“The chef's plan went awry when he accidentally used salt instead of sugar in the cake.”

😄 Fun example

“Her hair was completely awry after riding the roller coaster.”

“The meeting went awry when the projector broke down.”

😄 Fun example

“His attempt to impress his date went awry when he spilled wine on himself.”

📚Related Words

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