Random Meaning
/ˈɹændəm/Definition, CEFR level B1, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
Listen pronunciation
Definition
nounA roving motion; course without definite direction; lack of rule or method; chance.
nounSpeed, full speed; impetuosity, force.
Sentence Examples
I used to read novels at random.
Choose three books at random.
The random killing of innocent people
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms:
Antonyms:
None
CEFR Practice Quiz
The computer program picked a ____ number between one and ten without any rule.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The winners were selected at ____ from all valid entries received before the closing date.
Word Origin & History
From earlier randon, from Middle English randoun, raundon, from Old French randon, from randir (“to run, gallop”) (whence French randonnée (“long walk, hike”)), from Frankish *randiju (“a run, race”) or Old Norse rend (“a run, race”), both from Proto-Germanic *randijō, from *rinnaną (“run”, verb), from Proto-Indo-European *(H)r̥-nw- (“to flow, move, run”). Cognate with Middle Low German uprinden (“to jump up”), Danish rende (“to run”). See run.
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"Still take advice ; though counsels, when they fly / At random, sometimes hit most happily."
— 1648, Robert Herrick, Hesperides, London: H. G. Clarke and Co., published 1844, page 134:
"O ! many a shaft, at random sent, / Finds mark the archer little meant !"
— 1815, Sir Walter Scott, The Lord of the Isles, page 216:
"they were messagers vnto kyng Ban & Bors sent from kynge Arthur / therfor said the viij knyghtes ye shalle dye or be prysoners / for we ben knyghtes of kyng Claudas And therwith two of them dressid theire sperys / and Vlfyus and Brastias dressid theire speres and ranne to gyder with grete raundon"
— 1485, Sir Thomas Malory, chapter X, in Le Morte Darthur, book I:
"[…] for coragiouſly the two kynges newely foughte with great randon and force, they ſhewed their vigors and ſtrengthes and did ſo nobly that their coũter parties had none aduaũtage."
— 1548, Edward Hall, “The triumphant reigne of Kyng Henry the VIII”, in The Union of the two noble and Illustre Famelies of Lancastre and Yorke (Hall’s Chronicle), page 82v:
"Fortie yards will they shoot levell, or very neare the marke, and 120 is their best at Random."
— 1624, John Smith, Generall Historie, Kupperman, published 1988, page 144:
Explore More B1 Vocabulary Words
CEFR Practice Quiz
The computer program picked a ____ number between one and ten without any rule.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The winners were selected at ____ from all valid entries received before the closing date.