Meaning & use
random
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Meanings
adjectivebefore a noun
Chosen or happening by chance, with no set plan or pattern.
Grammar: Usually before a noun: a random sample.
The survey used a random sample of voters.
She picked a random card from the deck.
The winners were chosen in a random draw.
adjectivecomparableinformal
Odd, unexpected and unconnected to anything around it.
Grammar: Can follow be: that was so random.
He made a random comment about penguins.
That was such a random question.
A random stranger gave us directions.
phraseidiom
In the phrase 'at random': without a plan or order.
Grammar: Fixed phrase at random, after a verb.
Patterns
- at random
The teacher called on students at random.
The numbers were picked at random.
Word forms
| comparative | more random |
|---|---|
| superlative | most random |
Common combinations
- random sample
- A random sample of 500 people was interviewed.
- at random
- Names were drawn at random.
- random act
- It was a random act of kindness.
- random number
- The program generates a random number.
- completely random
- The pattern looks completely random.
Synonyms and how they differ
- arbitrary
- Chosen without a reason or rule, and often implies unfairness; random suggests chance.
- haphazard
- Carelessly disorganized, suggesting poor planning.
- chance
- Describes something happening by luck, as in a chance meeting.
- unexpected
- Surprising, but it need not be without pattern.
Opposites
Word family
- randomly adverb
- in a random way
- randomness noun
- the quality of being random
- randomize verb
- to make random
Commonly confused: random or arbitrary?
random vs arbitrary
Arbitrary means decided by whim rather than reason; random means chosen by chance.
Practice
The prize winner was chosen ___, so everyone had an equal chance.
Choose one answer.
At random means chosen by chance. The other phrases are not natural and suggest planning.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “random”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.