random
[ ran-duhm ]
/ ˈræn dəm /
adjective
noun
adverb
Building Trades. without uniformity: random-sized slates.
QUIZZES
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Let the aeolian gusts transport you back to these popular Words of the Day from the month of May. How many do you remember?
Question 1 of 10
Which of the following words means “to travel or journey, especially to walk on foot”?
Idioms for random
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.
Origin of random
1275–1325; Middle English raundon, random < Old French randon, derivative of randir to gallop < Germanic
OTHER WORDS FROM random
Words nearby random
randem, randers, randlord, rando, randolph, random, random access, random access memory, random coil, random error, random line
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020
British Dictionary definitions for at random
random
/ (ˈrændəm) /
adjective
lacking any definite plan or prearranged order; haphazarda random selection
statistics
- having a value which cannot be determined but only described probabilisticallya random variable
- chosen without regard to any characteristics of the individual members of the population so that each has an equal chance of being selectedrandom sampling
informal (of a person) unknownsome random guy waiting for a bus
noun
at random in a purposeless fashion; not following any prearranged order
Derived forms of random
randomly, adverbrandomness, nounWord Origin for random
C14: from Old French randon, from randir to gallop, of Germanic origin; compare Old High German rinnan to run
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Scientific definitions for at random
random
[ răn′dəm ]
Relating to a type of circumstance or event that is described by a probability distribution.
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.
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary
Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
Idioms and Phrases with at random (1 of 2)
at random
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]
Idioms and Phrases with at random (2 of 2)
random
see at random.
The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.