B2adjective1K

Random

UK /["/ˈrændəm/"]/US /["/ˈrændəm/"]/

Definition

done, chosen, etc. without somebody deciding in advance what is going to happen, or without any regular pattern

In simple words: without a definite plan or pattern

Examples

  • I picked a random number between one and ten.
  • The random selection of participants ensured a fair experiment.
  • He made a random comment that surprised everyone in the room.
  • They chose a random restaurant for dinner, and it turned out great.
  • The weather can be quite random during this time of year.

Usage notes

Use 'random' to describe things that happen by chance. It's appropriate in both casual conversations and formal writing, but avoid overusing it to prevent sounding vague.

Grammar pattern

standalone adjective

Memory hint

Think of 'random' as 'running around without direction' — imagine a kid running aimlessly in a park.

Collocations

  • be
  • seem
  • completely
  • entirely
  • purely

Synonyms

  • haphazard
  • arbitrary
  • chance
  • unplanned
  • randomized

Antonyms

  • structured
  • planned
  • ordered

Common mistakes

  • Confused with 'arbitrary' — 'random' implies no specific order, while 'arbitrary' can imply choice without reason.
  • Using 'randomly' when the context is not spontaneous or by chance.
  • Overusing 'random' in apologetic contexts, like saying 'random stuff' without clarity.