random
Noun pluralrandoms
Pluralrandoms
Formsrandoms, randoming, randomed
- 1Happening or chosen by chance, or put together without a plan or clear order.
Like closing your eyes and pointing at one name on a list.
The teacher called on a random student to answer.
We picked a random card from the deck.
UsageSay a random card, or pick a card at random.
Similararbitrary, haphazard, chance, unplanned
Oppositedeliberate, systematic, planned, methodical
- 2Decided by chance in a way that follows fixed odds, like dice rolls or numbers a computer makes to look unpredictable.
Like rolling dice: you know the choices but not which one will come up.
Rolling a die gives a random number between one and six.
The lottery machine picks random balls during the draw.
Similarstochastic, probabilistic, chance
Oppositedeterministic, predictable
Note
- 3Suddenly unrelated to what is happening or being talked about. Also used of a person who often says such things.
Like someone shouting an answer to a question nobody asked.
In the middle of dinner she made a random comment about whales.
He sent me a random text at three in the morning.
UsageSay a random comment or a random text.
- 4
- 5Movement or choice with no plan: left to chance.
Like picking a card without looking.
She picked the winning ticket at random.
The names were chosen at random from a hat.
UsageSay at random: picked at random.
Note
- 6Strange, odd, or not what you would expect.
Like seeing a penguin walk into your classroom.
The ending of that film was so random that we all burst out laughing.
Seeing a man walk a pet goat downtown was totally random.
UsageSay that's so random or totally random.
Similarbizarre, weird, odd, strange, unusual
Oppositeordinary, normal, conventional
Note
Less common meanings
- 7
- 8
- 9How far a shot can reach, or the upward tilt of a gun for the longest reach.
Fortie yards will they shoot levell, or very neare the marke, and 120 is their best at Random.
1624, John Smith, Generall HistorieHere, Random means the farthest range a shot can reach.Note
- 10A frame that printers used to hold and line up metal letters.
Printers' frames and randoms
2002, Republic of Korea, number 2Here, randoms means frames that hold metal type for printing by hand. - 11In mining, the direction in which a vein of ore runs through the rock.
Showing meanings only.
Practice
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Origin
It came through Old French from a word meaning "to run" or "gallop," which goes back to an old Germanic root meaning "run."
Checked 1 Nov 2026 · 2 facts
- Random came through Old French from a verb meaning to run or gallop. en.wiktionary.org
- The etymology goes back to an old Germanic root meaning run. en.wiktionary.org