1. to move slowly behind others in a group; to lag behind
2. to spread out in an irregular, untidy way

Examples

• A few hikers began to straggle behind the main group.
• The children straggled into the classroom after recess.
• Her hair straggled down her back in messy strands.
• Houses straggled along the country road for miles.
• The last runners straggled across the finish line.
• Weeds straggled through the cracks in the sidewalk.
• The parade participants straggled as they grew tired.