at random

Idioms

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]

Example Sentences

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at random

There, again, if enough people pick stocks at random, some of them will make a fortune through sheer chance.

From MarketWatch ● Jul. 24, 2026

He tested portfolios consisting of 100 stocks, 50 stocks, 25 stocks, five stocks and only one stock, drawn at random from the S&P 500.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 30, 2026

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

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

From Los Angeles Times ● Feb. 24, 2026

Elinor was right; there was no point in simply running off at random.

From "Inkheart" by Cornelia Funke

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

at random

Example Sentences

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