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]

---

Example Sentences

He and his team selected 50 stocks at random from the 500 largest companies by market capitalization each month since 1999, assigning them equal starting weights.

From Barron's • Mar. 26, 2026

In these "RCTs," participants are assigned at random to different groups.

From Science Daily • Feb. 25, 2026

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

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 26, 2026

You heard about a movie through word of mouth or from a critic in the paper, or you chose a film at random.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 16, 2025

I asked, picking a northern town at random.

From "The Name of the Wind" by Patrick Rothfuss

Related Words

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