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

See Examples For:

at random

The peptides are routinely used in “stacks”; chosen at random, with arbitrarily chosen doses; and two drugs from the same class may be included for reasons that defy explanation.

From MarketWatch ● Sep. 17, 2026

The kids who lose these contests aren’t chosen at random.

From Slate ● Aug. 21, 2026

"So we should smile at the dogs - even at random dogs in the street."

From BBC ● Aug. 10, 2026

The first enzyme cuts the long polymer chains at random points, reducing them into shorter sections.

From Science Daily ● Jul. 17, 2026

The fact that his parents had neither asked him about honey badgers, or even knew why he cared about them in the first place, never stopped him from offering up random info at random times.

From "As Brave As You" by Jason Reynolds

Related Words

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