random

noun

ran·dom | \ ˈran-dəm

Definition of random

(Entry 1 of 3)

: a haphazard course

at random

: without definite aim, direction, rule, or method subjects chosen at random

random

adjective

Definition of random (Entry 2 of 3)

1a : lacking a definite plan, purpose, or pattern

b : made, done, or chosen at random read random passages from the book

2a : relating to, having, or being elements or events with definite probability of occurrence random processes

b : being or relating to a set or to an element of a set each of whose elements has equal probability of occurrence a random sample also : characterized by procedures designed to obtain such sets or elements random sampling

random

adverb

Definition of random (Entry 3 of 3)

: in a random manner

Other Words from random Synonyms & Antonyms Choose the Right Synonym More Example Sentences Learn More about random

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Choose the Right Synonym for random

Adjective

random, haphazard, casual mean determined by accident rather than design. random stresses lack of definite aim, fixed goal, or regular procedure. a random selection of books haphazard applies to what is done without regard for regularity or fitness or ultimate consequence. a haphazard collection of rocks casual suggests working or acting without deliberation, intention, or purpose. a casual collector

Examples of random in a Sentence

Adjective

a random sequence of letters A random sample of doctors from around the country were selected for the study. We tasted the wines in random order and then rated each. a random collection of buttons She collects random photographs that she finds in antique shops. Pick a random word on the page. The computer program generates a list of random numbers.

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

Normally, axions just hit at random, so the swing is always moving but not actually swinging. — Chris Lee, Ars Technica, "Pulsars could convert dark matter into something we could see," 20 Dec. 2018 Instead, the game has playlists, which serve up modes seemingly at random. — Andrew Webster, The Verge, "Red Dead Online’s battle royale mode is slow, tense, and nothing like Fortnite," 29 Nov. 2018 Making a passphrase random is only half of the solution, though. — Henry Williams, WSJ, "Forget Passwords. It’s Time for Passphrases.," 18 Sep. 2018 File this under random: Many people with a herniated disc don’t have any symptoms, according to the Mayo Clinic. — Korin Miller, SELF, "You Could Have a Herniated Disc Without Even Realizing It," 11 Sep. 2018 Then, create random dot designs on each nail using a dotting tool and shade Tribal Textiles. — Lauren Rearick, Teen Vogue, "How to DIY a Halloween Themed Manicure," 1 Oct. 2018 That code was replicated on as many as 17 state lottery systems as MUSL integrated the random-number software Tipton designed. — Jason Clayworth, USA TODAY, "The untold story of how a gaming geek with a checkered past pulled off the biggest lottery scam in U.S. history," 26 Mar. 2018 Those customers, who were chosen at random, were asked about recent travel experiences. — Kate Silver, chicagotribune.com, "Airline customer satisfaction is higher than you might think, a survey indicates," 7 May 2018 Those customers, who were chosen at random, were asked about recent travel experiences. — The Washington Post, NOLA.com, "Airline customer satisfaction is higher than you might think, a survey indicates," 7 May 2018

Recent Examples on the Web: Adjective

Ten percent of each shipment of freight is sent to the appraisers’ stores for examination, and, as the boxes or packages are chosen at random, there apparently is not much chance for the smuggler to escape detection. — Popular Mechanics Editors, Popular Mechanics, "Rewind: What Guarding Uncle Sam's Borders Was Like in 1925," 11 Feb. 2019 The board assigned two experts to review charts of 15 of her patients selected at random. — Andrew Wolfson, The Courier-Journal, "'25 Again' doctor’s license on the line in attack on hormone therapy," 14 June 2018 Hashing, a process that converts passwords into a string of random letters and numbers, is the industry standard. — Alyssa Newcomb /, NBC News, "Twitter scorned for password issue but praised for disclosing it," 4 May 2018 Grassroots organizations for these families are sporadic, funded mostly by bake sales and 5k races and spread out in pockets of the country at random, usually where someone like Cheryl lost a child and decided to start one. — Claire Galofaro, The Seattle Times, "Moms of the dead from drugs: “Where is the outrage for us?”," 29 Jan. 2019 Its strategic plan already includes rolling out virtual sports betting - a random numbers game akin to keno or video lottery - in 2019, and working toward real sports betting by 2020. — Sean Meagher, OregonLive.com, "Boston Celtics vs Cleveland Cavaliers Game 2 score, TV channel, how to watch live stream," 15 May 2018 While that venue may sound random, the company — Taoyun Capital — is going after Jia’s remaining 33 percent stake in Faraday Future. — Sean O'kane, The Verge, "Faraday Future CEO’s long trail of debt is finally catching up to him," 8 Dec. 2018 Symphonies of fish, random numbers and more await in the September issue of Discover. — Discover Magazine, "Table of Contents Sep 2018," 17 Aug. 2018 The paper’s origins weren’t random; the show was Miami Beach-inspired. — Liana Satenstein, Vogue, "Marc Jacobs Unearths Notes From His Spring 1987 Show," 2 Jan. 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'random.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.