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

From Slate ● Aug. 21, 2026

There, again, if enough people pick stocks at random, some of them will make a fortune through sheer chance.

From MarketWatch ● Jul. 24, 2026

Robinhood CEO Vlad Tenev said the brokerage in years past had to plead with issuers to set aside stock for the company’s IPO Access program, which distributes allocated retail shares at random to interested customers.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 10, 2026

Twenty MPs are drawn at random, who then get a chance to propose a bill, with those drawn last given priority for debate.

From BBC ● Apr. 23, 2026

Karpoi grain spirits—those horrible little piranha Cupids—were rushing through the tall grass abducting campers at random, pulling them away from the line.

From "The Son of Neptune" by Rick Riordan

Related Words

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