Arbitrary
/ˈɑːrbɪtreri/
adjectiveIntermediate📊CommonJudgment
1 meaning1 question
Definitions
1
Based on random choice or personal whim, rather than any reason or system.
/ˈɑːrbɪtreri/
adjectivenegativeIntermediate
Judgment
His choice of color was completely arbitrary.
💡 Simply: Decided randomly, without a good reason.
More Examples
2
The rules seemed arbitrary and unfair.
How It's Used
Legal
"The judge's decision was seen as arbitrary and unfair."
Mathematics
"An arbitrary constant is introduced into the equation."
From Middle French arbitraire, from Latin arbitrarius, from arbiter ('judge, umpire').
The word's usage has remained relatively consistent throughout history, primarily emphasizing the lack of reason or system in a decision.
Memory tip
Think 'arbitrator' - someone making a decision without clear rules.
Word Origin
LanguageLatin
Original meaning
"depending on judgment or will"
Base: arbitrary
arbitrary decisionarbitrary powerarbitrary choice
Common misspellings
arbitaryarbirtrary
Practice
Usage
20%Spoken
80%Written