Is it correct to say 'more random'?

Yes, in informal contexts to mean 'less predictable' or 'more arbitrary'. In strict mathematics, something is either random (following a probability distribution) or not; degrees don't apply.

What's the difference between 'random' and 'arbitrary'?

'Arbitrary' often implies a decision based on personal whim rather than reason or rules. 'Random' stresses the absence of any pattern or predictability. An arbitrary choice may be deliberate; a random one is by chance.

Can 'random' describe a person?

In informal slang, especially among younger speakers, yes. It means someone who behaves in an unpredictable, odd, or unconventional way (e.g., 'He's a bit random'). This is not appropriate in formal writing.

What does 'at random' mean?

It is an idiom meaning 'without a definite method, pattern, or purpose'. Example: 'She opened the book at random and started reading.'

randem

UK/ˈrændəm/US/ˈrændəm/

Informal to Semi-formal

My Flashcards

Definition

Meaning

Having no definite aim, pattern, purpose, or method; occurring or chosen by chance.

Lacking organization, planning, or logical connection; arbitrary; unpredictable. In statistics/mathematics: governed by or involving equal chances for each item; having a distribution of values specifiable by probability theory.

Linguistics

Semantic Notes

The core semantic component is the absence of intention, order, or predictability. In casual use, often signifies something unexpected, surprising, or out of context.

Dialectal Variation

British vs American Usage

Differences

Usage is largely identical. 'Random' as a standalone adjective describing a person or their behaviour as strange or unpredictable is more strongly associated with British youth slang.

Connotations

In both: neutral-to-negative for lack of order (random data). Positive/amusing in informal contexts (a random encounter). Negative for arbitrariness (a random decision).

Frequency

Extremely high frequency in both varieties, especially in informal speech and online communication.

Vocabulary

Collocations

strong

random samplerandom accessrandom numberrandom selectionrandom check

medium

completely randomseemingly randomrandom actrandom orderrandom event

weak

random thoughtrandom personrandom stuffrandom noiserandom pattern

Grammar

Valency Patterns

random + noun (random event)seem/appear/be + randomcompletely/totally/utterly + randomat random

Vocabulary

Synonyms

Strong

stochasticaleatory

Neutral

chancearbitraryhaphazardunsystematic

Weak

casualunplannedincidental

Vocabulary

Antonyms

systematicmethodicalplannedintentionalpredictableordered

Phrases

Idioms & Phrases

“at random (without method)”
“random act of kindness”

Usage

Context Usage

Business

Used in 'random sampling' for market research, 'random audits' for quality control.

Academic

Key term in statistics ('random variable', 'randomised controlled trial'), mathematics, and computer science.

Everyday

Very common for describing unexpected events, people, or thoughts. 'That's so random!'

Technical

Precise statistical meaning: outcomes determined solely by chance, with known probability distributions.

Examples

By Part of Speech

verb

British English

(Not standard as a verb)

American English

(Not standard as a verb)

adverb

British English

(Standard adverb is 'randomly'. 'Random' as adverb is non-standard/informal.)

American English

(Standard adverb is 'randomly'. 'Random' as adverb is non-standard/informal.)

adjective

British English

He gave a rather random answer in the interview.
We picked a random postcode for the survey.

American English

The selection process should be completely random.
She keeps emailing me random facts.

Examples

By CEFR Level

The teacher chose a random student to answer.
I saw a random cat in the garden.

The names were selected at random from a list.
He has a very random sense of humour.

The survey uses a random sample of the population.
It wasn't a planned meeting; it was just a random encounter in a café.

The distribution of particles appeared entirely random, defying initial predictions.
Critics dismissed the policy as a collection of random measures lacking a coherent strategy.

Learning

Memory Aids

Mnemonic

Imagine a RANdom DOMain: a place (domain) where things just run (ran) about with no order.

Conceptual Metaphor

CHAOS IS RANDOMNESS (a random collection of ideas); LACK OF CONTROL IS RANDOMNESS (events happened at random).

Watch out

Common Pitfalls

Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)

Avoid direct translation of informal 'random' (as in 'random guy') as 'случайный' when it implies 'unfamiliar' or 'odd'. Use 'какой-то' or 'незнакомый'.
The adjective 'random' does not mean 'various' or 'different' (разный).

Common Mistakes

Using 'random' to mean 'rare' or 'unusual' (Incorrect: 'He collects random stamps.' Correct: 'He collects rare stamps.').
Confusing 'random' with 'odd' or 'weird' in formal contexts.

Practice

Quiz

Fill in the gap

For the results to be valid, participants must be assigned to the control group .

Multiple Choice

In a formal statistical context, 'random' primarily means:

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

: Yes, in informal contexts to mean 'less predictable' or 'more arbitrary'. In strict mathematics, something is either random (following a probability distribution) or not; degrees don't apply.
: 'Arbitrary' often implies a decision based on personal whim rather than reason or rules. 'Random' stresses the absence of any pattern or predictability. An arbitrary choice may be deliberate; a random one is by chance.
: In informal slang, especially among younger speakers, yes. It means someone who behaves in an unpredictable, odd, or unconventional way (e.g., 'He's a bit random'). This is not appropriate in formal writing.
: It is an idiom meaning 'without a definite method, pattern, or purpose'. Example: 'She opened the book at random and started reading.'