random
Governed by chance
Random describes something without pattern, order, or predictable cause.
A random selection gives every option equal chance.
Random events lack discernible connection: We kept running into random people from college.
In casual speech, random means arbitrary or unexpected: That was so random.
As a noun, at random means without deliberate choice: Names were drawn at random.
Chance affecting outcomes
- probabilityQuantified chance of occurrence
- oddsLikelihood expressed numerically
- fatePredetermined course of events
- fortuneWealth or destiny
coincidence · serendipity · fluke · kismet · accident · happenstance · contingency · unpredictability
Totally without arrangement
- scatteredSpread irregularly about
- jumbledDisordered, lacking arrangement
- disorganizedLacking systematic arrangement
- haphazardLacking organization or plan
disarray · unsorted · unordered · mixed-up · helter-skelter · pell-mell · higgledy-piggledy · topsy-turvy
Marked cubes for chance
- rouletteSpinning wheel wager
- lotteryRandomized prize distribution
- bingoNumber-matching game of chance
- pokerHearth implement for coals
craps · blackjack · keno · baccarat · Yahtzee · slot machine · wheel of fortune · card shuffle
Electricity-producing machine
- seedEmbryonic plant capsule
- algorithmFinite problem-solving procedure
- pseudorandomAlgorithmically generated, mimicking chance
- cryptographicInvolving coded communication
entropy · hash · Monte Carlo · simulation · noise · shuffle · permutation · bit
Subject to sudden changes
- whimsicalPlayfully fanciful or erratic
- subjectiveBased on personal perspective
- biasedUnfairly favoring one side
- unjustNot fair or right
unfair · discriminatory · preferential · selective · uneven · lopsided · skewed · idiosyncratic
Subset for study
- selectionChosen item or items
- statisticsCollected numerical information
- surveySystematic data collection
- pollGathering of opinions
lottery · draw · raffle · blind pick · generator · seed · shuffle · permutation
Mixed collection of things
- miscellaneousOf mixed composition
- eclecticDeriving from varied sources
- diverseOf many types
- mixedBlended from varied elements
hodgepodge · potpourri · grab bag · mixed bag · motley · sundry · varied · heterogeneous
Not anticipated beforehand
- unforeseenNot predicted or expected
- unanticipatedNot predicted beforehand
- unpredictableCannot be anticipated
- spontaneousArising without external cause
out of nowhere · sudden · abrupt · unplanned · unscheduled · impromptu · spur-of-the-moment · unannounced
luck
Chance affecting outcomes
- probabilityQuantified chance of occurrence
- oddsLikelihood expressed numerically
- fatePredetermined course of events
fortune · coincidence · serendipity · fluke · kismet · accident · happenstance · contingency · unpredictability · fortuity
chaotic
Totally without arrangement
- scatteredSpread irregularly about
- jumbledDisordered, lacking arrangement
- disorganizedLacking systematic arrangement
haphazard · disarray · unsorted · unordered · mixed-up · helter-skelter · pell-mell · higgledy-piggledy · topsy-turvy · scrambled
dice
Marked cubes for chance
poker · craps · blackjack · keno · baccarat · Yahtzee · slot machine · wheel of fortune · card shuffle · deal
generator
Electricity-producing machine
- seedEmbryonic plant capsule
- algorithmFinite problem-solving procedure
- pseudorandomAlgorithmically generated, mimicking chance
cryptographic · entropy · hash · Monte Carlo · simulation · noise · shuffle · permutation · bit · number
capricious
Subject to sudden changes
- whimsicalPlayfully fanciful or erratic
- subjectiveBased on personal perspective
- biasedUnfairly favoring one side
unjust · unfair · discriminatory · preferential · selective · uneven · lopsided · skewed · idiosyncratic · discretionary
sample
Subset for study
- selectionChosen item or items
- statisticsCollected numerical information
- surveySystematic data collection
poll · lottery · draw · raffle · blind pick · generator · seed · shuffle · permutation · distribution
assortment
Mixed collection of things
- miscellaneousOf mixed composition
- eclecticDeriving from varied sources
- diverseOf many types
mixed · hodgepodge · potpourri · grab bag · mixed bag · motley · sundry · varied · heterogeneous · assorted
unexpected
Not anticipated beforehand
- unforeseenNot predicted or expected
- unanticipatedNot predicted beforehand
- unpredictableCannot be anticipated
spontaneous · out of nowhere · sudden · abrupt · unplanned · unscheduled · impromptu · spur-of-the-moment · unannounced · chance encounter
randomsystematic
Following ordered procedures
ordered · organized · orderly · regular · structured
randomdeliberate
Consciously chosen, not accidental
intentional · purposeful · planned · designed · conscious
randompredictable
Able to be foreseen
deterministic · nonrandom · non-random · predetermined · certain
- at randomWithout deliberate selection
- random numberValue chosen by chance
- random thoughtUnprompted mental occurrence
- random mishapUnplanned unfortunate occurrence
- random selectionChoosing without systematic bias
- random samplePortion selected by chance
randomly, randomness, randomized, randomize, nonrandom, randoms, randomization, randomizing, randomizes