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

The revised name reflected their mission to publish new titles “at random” to complement the backlist.

From The Wall Street Journal

There are a lot of names, so I pick one at random.

From Literature

At K1 Speed, all drivers compete in identical cars assigned at random, which puts the emphasis on driving skill.

From Los Angeles Times

But knocking on doors at random to inspect immigration status could, according to Saldaña, be considered harassment and improper conduct.

From The Wall Street Journal

A new study published in Nature Aging shows that these changes follow a clear pattern rather than appearing at random.

From Science Daily

Related Words

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