at random

Idioms  

1. Without order or fixed purpose, haphazardly, as in Jackson Pollock dropped paints on canvas seemingly at random. Originally this phrase meant “very speedily” and “heedlessly.” Shakespeare had the present usage in 1 Henry VI (5:3): “He talks at random; sure the man is mad.” [Late 1500s]

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Example Sentences

Italian Andrea Lai has been playing the Football Manager series for almost 20 years and one day chose a new club, at random, as his new team to manage.

From BBC • Apr. 28, 2026

Wolf kills aren't distributed at random, Loretto said, occurring more often on flatter terrain or in open valleys where chases are more likely.

From Barron's • Mar. 12, 2026

An aide flashed the overhead lights on and off at random.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 24, 2026

A new study published in Nature Aging shows that these changes follow a clear pattern rather than appearing at random.

From Science Daily • Jan. 10, 2026

He was speaking at random, wanting to scare Riddle, wishing rather than believing it to be true — Riddle opened his mouth, but froze.

From "Harry Potter And The Chamber Of Secrets" by J. K. Rowling

Related Words

• aimlessly
• frantically
• indiscriminately
• instinctively
• madly
• wildly