random
[ ran-duhm ]
/ ˈræn dəm /
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adjective
noun
adverb
Building Trades. without uniformity: random-sized slates.
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Idioms about 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
First recorded in 1275–1325; Middle English raundon, random, from Old French randon, derivative of randir “to gallop,” from Germanic
OTHER WORDS FROM random
ran·dom·ly, adverbran·dom·ness, nounnon·ran·dom, adjectivenon·ran·dom·ness, nounDictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
How to use random in a sentence
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.
Other 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.