random
[ ran-duhm ]
/ ˈræn dəm /
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adjective
noun
adverb
Building Trades. without uniformity: random-sized slates.
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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
Randers, R. & I., randlord, rando, Randolph, random, random access, random-access memory, random coil, random error, randomize
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2021
Example sentences from the Web for random
British Dictionary definitions for 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 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 random
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.