random

[ran-duhm]

adjective

1. proceeding, made, or occurring without definite aim, reason, or pattern.

   the random selection of numbers.

   Synonyms: fortuitous, chance, haphazard

2. Statistics.,  of or characterizing a process of selection in which each item of a set has an equal probability of being chosen.

3. Building Trades.

   1. (of building materials) lacking uniformity of dimensions.

      random shingles.

   2. (of ashlar) laid without continuous courses.

   3. constructed or applied without regularity.

      random bond.

4. Slang.

   1. unknown, unidentified, or suspiciously out of place.

      A couple of random guys showed up at the party.

   2. odd or unpredictable, often in an amusing way.

      my totally random life.

noun

1. something that is random, or a random state or condition.

   different statistical methods used to estimate randoms.

2. Slang.

   1. a person or thing that is unknown, unidentified, or suspiciously out of place.

   2. a person or thing that is odd or unpredictable.

3. Chiefly British.,  bank.

adverb

1. Building Trades.,  without uniformity.

   random-sized slates.

random

/ ˈrændəm /

adjective

1. lacking any definite plan or prearranged order; haphazard

   a random selection

2. statistics

   1. having a value which cannot be determined but only described probabilistically

      a random variable

   2. chosen without regard to any characteristics of the individual members of the population so that each has an equal chance of being selected

      random sampling

3. informal,  (of a person) unknown

   some random guy waiting for a bus

noun

1. in a purposeless fashion; not following any prearranged order

random

1. Relating to a type of circumstance or event that is described by a probability distribution.

2. 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.

Other Word Forms

• randomly adverb
• randomness noun
• nonrandom adjective
• nonrandomness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of random¹

First recorded in 1275–1325; Middle English raundon, random, from Old French randon, derivative of randir “to gallop,” from Germanic

Word History and Origins

Origin of random¹

C14: from Old French randon , from randir to gallop, of Germanic origin; compare Old High German rinnan to run

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. 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.

see at random.

Example Sentences

There’s some nostalgia involved, sure, tied up with memories of dancing with your goth girlfriends at New Wave Dance Night, but all three of those songs on a random Friday in Ohio were total steamrollers.

From Salon

The Indianapolis Metro Police Department released a statement that read: “Detectives believe this was an isolated incident between two men and not a random act of violence.”

From Los Angeles Times

You can see it in the little rituals: call my mom before any major event — New Year’s Eve, the Super Bowl, or just a random December day that feels festive — and ask what she’s making.

From Salon

Whether it’s a semi-ironic obsession with artisanal cheese-making, a random passion for sitar music or a stubborn preference for a flip phone, there are many wonderful contradictions about humans that algorithms can’t quite pin down.

From Salon

“So a campus thing I’ve been doing for 13 years to debate random college kids has now been so important that it gets prominent prime-time placement on Comedy Central?” he asked through laughs.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• accidental 
• aimless 
• arbitrary 
• incidental 
• indiscriminate 
• irregular 
• odd 
• unplanned