# random

/ˈɹændəm/ (US) · /ɹˈændəm/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/random
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. by chance

adjective · CEFR B1

happening by chance or without a specific plan or pattern.

For teachers: governed by or involving equal chances for each item; lacking a predictable pattern or conscious decision.

- The computer picks a random winner from the list of email subscribers.
- The researchers selected a random sample of participants to ensure the study's results were not biased by specific demographics.

### 2. unexpected or odd

adjective · CEFR B2 · Informal

strange, unusual, or not connected to what is happening.

For teachers: unexpected or seemingly irrelevant in a given context; often used to describe a non sequitur or a bizarre occurrence.

- It was so random to see my primary school teacher at a rock concert.
- He kept making random comments about 19th-century history during our meeting about the marketing budget.

### 4. an unknown person

noun · CEFR C1 · Informal · Slang

a person you do not know or someone who does not belong in a specific group.

For teachers: an unidentified or socially insignificant person; often used to describe an uninvited guest or a stranger.

- I didn't recognize anyone at the party; it was just a room full of randoms.
- The security guard refused to let some random into the backstage area without a proper pass.

## Examples

- The computer picks a random winner from the list.
- The researchers used a random sample of participants to ensure the study results were not biased.
- While the distribution of stars might appear random to the naked eye, astronomical mapping reveals complex gravitational structures that dictate their relative positions over billions of years.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.