random

/'rændəm/

Thân thiện

A child picks a random marble from a cloth bag.

Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Governed by chance; lacking a definite pattern, plan, or purpose: Describes something that occurs, is chosen, or is done without method or conscious decision.
   • Made, done, or happening without method or conscious choice: Often implies an element of unpredictability or equal probability among options.

Usage

The word "random" is used to describe events, selections, or arrangements that are not planned, ordered, or predictable. It is commonly used in both everyday language and technical fields like statistics and computing. - As an adjective before a noun: a random sample, a random event. - In the adverbial phrase "at random": meaning in a haphazard or purposeless manner.

Examples

• Adjective:

  • The computer generates a random number. (The number is produced by chance, not by a set rule.)
  • We asked for random opinions from the crowd. (The opinions were gathered from people chosen without a specific system.)
  • It was just a random encounter that led to their friendship. (The meeting happened purely by chance.)

• In the phrase "at random":

  • The names were picked at random from a hat. (The selection was done without any order or plan.)
  • He fired shots at random into the dark. (The shots were fired aimlessly, without a specific target.)

Advanced Usage

• Statistics/Mathematics: Refers to a process where each possible outcome has an equal probability, or more broadly, to variables governed by probability distributions.
  • The study used a random selection of participants to ensure unbiased results.
• Computing: Describes algorithms or processes that generate unpredictable data.
  • A strong password should contain random characters.

Variants and Related Words

• Randomly (adverb): In a random manner.
  • The books were arranged randomly on the shelf.
• Randomness (noun): The quality or state of being random.
  • The randomness of the lottery draw is carefully monitored.
• Randomize (verb): To make random in arrangement or selection.
  • Researchers randomized the order of the test questions.

Synonyms

• Haphazard: Lacking any obvious principle of organization (often implies carelessness).
• Arbitrary: Based on random choice or personal whim, rather than any reason or system.
• Chance: Occurring by accident or without planning.
• Stochastic: (Technical) Having a random probability distribution or pattern.

Related Phrases and Idioms

• At random: (Phrase) In a way that lacks a specific pattern or purpose.
  • She opened the book at random and started reading.
• Random act of kindness: A selfless act performed for a stranger, typically spontaneous and unexpected.
  • Paying for the coffee of the person behind you is a random act of kindness.

Notes on Different Meanings

The core meaning of "random" consistently relates to chance and absence of order. Its application can range from casual descriptions of unexpected events (a random thought) to precise technical definitions in science (random variable). The phrase "at random" is a fixed adverbial form derived from the adjective.

Học thuật

Adjective

1. lacking any definite plan or order or purpose; governed by or depending on chance
   • a random choice
   • bombs fell at random
   • random movements