random
gb/ɹˈændəm/ us/ɹˈændəm/
B1
English
~ 1900
véletlenszerű, fura, oda nem illő, random, véletlenszerűség
B1
1
Usage pattern:
[something] is random
The seating arrangement seemed completely random.
Az ülésrend teljesen véletlenszerűnek tűnt.
We made a random selection of participants for the study.
A vizsgálathoz véletlenszerűen választottuk ki a résztvevőket.
A random noise came from the kitchen in the middle of the night.
The numbers are generated by a random process.
She grabbed a random book from the shelf.
Learner examples
The order of the names is random.
A nevek sorrendje véletlenszerű.
He asked a random question.
Találomra feltett egy kérdést.
I saw a random man on the street.
We chose a random card from the deck.
The teacher picked a random student to answer.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'random' with 'rare' or 'unusual', but 'random' means without plan or pattern, not necessarily uncommon.
Meaning
Without plan or order
Collocations
random choice
|random sample
|random event
|completely random
|seemingly random
Synonyms
arbitrary (Often implies being based on personal whim rather than logic or system.)
Antonyms
planned (Implies something arranged in advance with a clear purpose.)
Themes
daily life
|thinking
|decision-making
|core_vocabulary
Definition
Happening without any plan or clear reason.
Made, done, or happening without a specific plan, purpose, or pattern.
B2
INFORMAL
2
Usage pattern:
That's random!
He started talking about penguins in the middle of our meeting. That was so random.
A megbeszélés közepén elkezdett pingvinekről beszélni. Ez annyira fura volt.
Why did she bring up that random story?
Miért hozta fel azt az oda nem illő történetet?
It feels kind of random that they invited him.
Learner examples
That was a random thing to say.
Ez elég fura megjegyzés volt.
She told a random joke in class.
Az órán elmondott egy oda nem illő viccet.
He made a random comment about cats.
Common mistake:
Learners may think this use means 'chosen without plan', but in informal speech it often means 'strange' or 'unrelated'.
Meaning
Strange or out of place
Collocations
that's random
|really random
|kind of random
Synonyms
weird (More focused on being strange or unusual rather than unrelated.)
Antonyms
relevant (Directly connected to the topic or situation.)
Themes
slang
|conversation
|core_vocabulary
Definition
Used to say something is strange or not related to what is happening.
Informally, used to describe something odd, unexpected, or irrelevant to the situation.
NOUN
B1
TECHNICAL
3
Usage pattern:
[something] is chosen at random
The subjects were assigned to groups at random.
Az alanyokat véletlenszerűen osztották csoportokba.
Cards were dealt at random to each player.
A kártyalapokat véletlenszerűen osztották ki minden játékosnak.
At random, he picked a name from the list.
Learner examples
We chose the winner at random.
Véletlenszerűen választottuk ki a győztest.
The teacher called on students at random.
A tanár véletlenszerűen szólította fel a diákokat.
She picked a number at random.
Meaning
Lack of pattern in selection
Collocations
at random
|pure random
|true random
Synonyms
chance (Focuses on the role of luck rather than absence of pattern.)
Antonyms
system (Implies an organized method or pattern.)
Themes
science
|statistics
|core_vocabulary
Definition
A way of choosing or doing something without any plan or order.
The quality or state of being made or done without a specific plan, purpose, or pattern.
Grammar
Dictionary form
random
IPA
GB/ɹˈændəm/
US/ɹˈændəm/
Syllables & stress
ran - dom (2 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (ran)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: random
Word family
Core family
randomly
adverb B2
randomness
noun
Related words
randomize
verb B2
Negative and opposite forms
nonrandom
adjective
Advanced or less common
randomization
noun C1
randomizer
noun
Expressions
pick at random
1/pˈɪk ˈæt ɹˈændəm/
fixed phrase
Choose without plan or order
To choose something without any plan; by chance.
Examples
- We picked three names at random from the list.
- She picked a card at random from the deck.
at random
1/ˈæt ɹˈændəm/
fixed phrase
Without method or pattern in choice/action
Without any plan or order.
Examples
- The teacher called on students at random.
- The books were stacked at random on the table.
- The inspector chose five stores at random to visit.
- The books were placed on the shelf at random.
- Winners will be selected at random from all entries.
- Guns were fired at random into the crowd.
- I opened the book at random and started reading.