View synonyms for random

random

[ ran-duhm ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

adjective

proceeding, made, or occurring without definite aim, reason, or pattern:
the random selection of numbers.
Synonyms: fortuitous, chance, haphazard
Statistics. of or characterizing a process of selection in which each item of a set has an equal probability of being chosen.
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.
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.

something that is random, or a random state or condition:
different statistical methods used to estimate randoms.
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.
Chiefly British. bank ³( def 7b ).

random

/ ˈrændəm /

lacking any definite plan or prearranged order; haphazard
a random selection
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
informal.
(of a person) unknown
some random guy waiting for a bus

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.

Origin of random¹

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

Origin of random¹

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

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.

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

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