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random

adjective

/ˈræn dəm/

IPA:

Dictionary definition of random

Occurring or is chosen without any discernible pattern, predictability, or specific order.
"The artist created a random pattern of colors on the canvas."

Detailed meaning of random

It refers to events, objects, or actions that are seemingly unrelated or selected by chance, lacking any apparent logic or purpose. Randomness suggests a state of unpredictability, where outcomes or selections are determined by probability rather than a deliberate intention or systematic arrangement. When something is random, it implies a lack of control or direction, often leading to unexpected or arbitrary results. In various fields, such as mathematics, statistics, and computer science, randomness is a fundamental concept used to describe the absence of a regular or predictable pattern. Additionally, in everyday language, 'random' is often used to describe something unexpected, unusual, or out of place.

Example sentences containing random

1. She found a random note tucked between the pages of her book.
2. The random selection of winners was conducted using a computer algorithm.
3. He picked a random number between one and ten.
4. I bumped into a random stranger at the grocery store today.
5. The random assortment of flavors in the box of chocolates surprised me.
6. The professor assigned random groupings for the class project.

History and etymology of random

The adjective 'random' has an interesting etymological origin. It can be traced back to the Middle English word 'randoun,' which meant 'force or haste.' This Middle English term was influenced by the Old French word 'randon,' meaning 'rush' or 'impetuosity.' The Old French 'randon' likely came from the Frankish word 'rant,' meaning 'a running.' The shift in meaning from 'haste' to 'occurring without any discernible pattern' occurred over time as 'random' evolved in English. This transformation reflects how language can adapt and expand in its usage, with 'random' now describing events or occurrences that lack predictability or specific order, rather than simply denoting speed or haste as it did in its early roots.

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Further usage examples of random

1. I have a random collection of seashells from various beaches around the world.
2. The radio station played a random selection of songs from different genres.
3. I stumbled upon a random antique shop while exploring the city.
4. The comedian told random jokes that had the audience laughing uncontrollably.
5. We had a random encounter with a celebrity while dining at a local restaurant.
6. The lottery numbers are drawn at random every week.
7. She found a random book on the library shelf.
8. Their conversation took a random turn to outer space.
9. The professor asked a random question during the lecture.
10. I received a random text message from an unknown number.
11. The computer generated a random sequence of numbers.
12. He told a random joke that made everyone laugh.
13. The music playlist is on shuffle, so it's playing random songs.
14. We decided to take a random road trip this weekend.
15. The random selection process ensures fairness.
16. The colors on the canvas were applied in a random order.
17. He chose a random spot on the map to explore.
18. The website features a random fact of the day.
19. The decision seemed random and without reason.
20. She picked a random ingredient to add to the recipe.
21. The scatterplot showed random data points.
22. The comedian's jokes were a series of random anecdotes.
23. The meeting agenda included a random icebreaker activity.
24. He selected a random username for the online forum.
25. The survey responses appeared to be random and varied.