RANDOM

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does random mean? 

• RANDOM (adjective)
  The adjective RANDOM has 1 sense:

1. lacking any definite plan or order or purpose; governed by or depending on chance

  Familiarity information: RANDOM used as an adjective is very rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• RANDOM (adjective)

Sense 1

Meaning:

Lacking any definite plan or order or purpose; governed by or depending on chance

Context example:

random movements

Similar:

ergodic (positive recurrent aperiodic state of stochastic systems; tending in probability to a limiting form that is independent of the initial conditions)

haphazard; hit-or-miss (dependent upon or characterized by chance)

stochastic (being or having a random variable)

Antonym:

nonrandom (not random)

Derivation:

randomness (the quality of lacking any predictable order or plan)

 Context examples 

The individual calculations differ due to the introduction of random numbers for some input quantity or quantities.

(Monte Carlo Method, NCI Thesaurus)

“It is not fair,” said Emma, in a whisper; “mine was a random guess. Do not distress her.”

(Emma, by Jane Austen)

Any method of selecting a sample in which cases are not chosen by random sampling.

(Nonrandom Sampling, NCI Thesaurus)

A type of clinical study in which each study subject receives the same series of treatments but in a random order that differs across arms of the study.

(Crossover Study, NCI Thesaurus)

The movement of chemical species under the influence of a concentration difference and as a result of random thermal agitation.

(Diffusion, NCI Thesaurus)

All subjects were placed on each diet for a month in random order.

(Study links frequent red meat consumption to high levels of chemical associated with heart disease, National Institutes of Health)

In his random reading he had never chanced upon the Rubáiyát, and it was to him like a great find of treasure.

(The Sea-Wolf, by Jack London)

Non-random movement of an object(s) from one location to another.

(Migration, NCI Thesaurus)

Tissue characterized by a thick, random arrangement of collagen and elastin fibers with very few cells.

(Irregular Dense Connective Tissue, NCI Thesaurus)

The assignment of the intervention may or may not be random.

(Interventional Study, NCI Thesaurus)