random

[ran-duhm]

adjective

1. proceeding, made, or occurring without definite aim, reason, or pattern.

   the random selection of numbers.

   Synonyms: fortuitous, chance, haphazard

2. Statistics.,  of or characterizing a process of selection in which each item of a set has an equal probability of being chosen.

3. Building Trades.

   1. (of building materials) lacking uniformity of dimensions.

      random shingles.

   2. (of ashlar) laid without continuous courses.

   3. constructed or applied without regularity.

      random bond.

4. Slang.

   1. unknown, unidentified, or suspiciously out of place.

      A couple of random guys showed up at the party.

   2. odd or unpredictable, often in an amusing way.

      my totally random life.

noun

1. something that is random, or a random state or condition.

   different statistical methods used to estimate randoms.

2. Slang.

   1. a person or thing that is unknown, unidentified, or suspiciously out of place.

   2. a person or thing that is odd or unpredictable.

3. Chiefly British.,  bank.

adverb

1. Building Trades.,  without uniformity.

   random-sized slates.

random

/ ˈrændəm /

adjective

1. lacking any definite plan or prearranged order; haphazard

   a random selection

2. statistics

   1. having a value which cannot be determined but only described probabilistically

      a random variable

   2. chosen without regard to any characteristics of the individual members of the population so that each has an equal chance of being selected

      random sampling

3. informal,  (of a person) unknown

   some random guy waiting for a bus

noun

1. in a purposeless fashion; not following any prearranged order

random

1. Relating to a type of circumstance or event that is described by a probability distribution.

2. Relating to an event in which all outcomes are equally likely, as in the testing of a blood sample for the presence of a substance.

Other Word Forms

• randomness noun
• randomly adverb
• nonrandom adjective
• nonrandomness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of random¹

First recorded in 1275–1325; Middle English raundon, random, from Old French randon, derivative of randir “to gallop,” from Germanic

Word History and Origins

Origin of random¹

C14: from Old French randon , from randir to gallop, of Germanic origin; compare Old High German rinnan to run

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. at random, without definite aim, purpose, method, or adherence to a prior arrangement; in a haphazard way.

   Contestants were chosen at random from the studio audience.

see at random.

Example Sentences

Although great pains are taken to keep the process random and the groups evenly balanced, a “Group of Death” frequently emerges featuring three or more strong teams, making qualification for the knockout round difficult.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

On the show, the newly matched couple picked their first date activity at random.

Read more on BBC

In a random BBC test of opinion on Paris streets, a similar picture emerged.

Read more on BBC

But the random stuff that happens in “The Baltimorons” isn’t really the point.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Your traffic is then bounced over several other random Tor nodes in various countries until the last one in the chain decrypts and sends that traffic to its final destination.

Read more on Salon

Related Words

• accidental 
• aimless 
• arbitrary 
• incidental 
• indiscriminate 
• irregular 
• odd 
• unplanned