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

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

One this month seemed to offer a clue and, like the others, included words underlined seemingly at random.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 25, 2026

But let's be frank: Fiona Bruce and Question Time weren't in Ashton-in-Makerfield at random and Andy Burnham doesn't suffer from a deficit of ambition.

From BBC ● Jun. 5, 2026

For food we just ate cheap at random taco shops with the money I had leftover in my pocket and the change Rondell gave back to me from when he was at the diner.

From "We Were Here" by Matt De La Peña

Related Words

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