Arbitrarily
/ˈɑːrbɪtrɛərɪli/
adverbIntermediate📊CommonManner
1 meaning2 questions
Definitions
1
Based on random choice or personal whim, rather than any reason or system.
/ˈɑːrbɪtrɛərɪli/
adverbneutralIntermediate
Manner
In a random or unpredictable manner.
The numbers were chosen arbitrarily.
💡 Simply: Decided randomly or without a plan.
More Examples
2
He acted arbitrarily, without consulting anyone.
How It's Used
Mathematics
"The points were arbitrarily chosen."
Law
"The judge ruled arbitrarily, ignoring precedent."
From Middle English *arbitrarily*, from Old French *arbitrairement*, from *arbitraire* "arbitrary," from Latin *arbitrarius* "depending on judgment, at one's pleasure," from *arbiter* "judge, umpire," from *ad* "to" + *biter* "judge."
The word's usage has remained relatively consistent throughout history, emphasizing the randomness and lack of reason in decision-making.
Memory tip
Think 'arbitrary' + 'ly' - without reason or system.
Word Origin
LanguageLatin
Original meaning
"depending on judgment, at one's pleasure"
Base: arbitrary
arbitrarily chosenarbitrarily selectedarbitrarily decided
Common misspellings
arbitrairlyarbitarilyarbetrarily
Practice
Usage
30%Spoken
70%Written