Transcription
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- US Pronunciation
- US IPA
- UK Pronunciation
- UK IPA
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- [ahr-bi-trer-ee]
- /ˈɑr bɪˌtrɛr i/
- /ˈɑː.bɪ.trər.i/
-
- US Pronunciation
- US IPA
-
- [ahr-bi-trer-ee]
- /ˈɑr bɪˌtrɛr i/
Definitions of arbitrary word
- adjective arbitrary If you describe an action, rule, or decision as arbitrary, you think that it is not based on any principle, plan, or system. It often seems unfair because of this. 3
- adjective arbitrary founded on or subject to personal whims, prejudices, etc; capricious 3
- adjective arbitrary having only relative application or relevance; not absolute 3
- adjective arbitrary (of a government, ruler, etc) despotic or dictatorial 3
- adjective arbitrary not representing any specific value 3
- adjective arbitrary (esp of a penalty or punishment) not laid down by statute; within the court's discretion 3
Information block about the term
Origin of arbitrary
First appearance:
before 1400 One of the 24% oldest English words
1400-50; late Middle English < Latin arbitrārius uncertain (i.e., depending on an arbiter's decision). See arbiter, -ary
Historical Comparancy
Parts of speech for Arbitrary
noun
adjective
verb
adverb
pronoun
preposition
conjunction
determiner
exclamation
arbitrary popularity
A common word. It’s meaning is known to most children of preschool age. About 92% of English native speakers know the meaning and use the word.
Most Europeans know this English word. The frequency of it’s usage is somewhere between "mom" and "screwdriver".
arbitrary usage trend in Literature
This diagram is provided by Google Ngram ViewerSynonyms for arbitrary
adj arbitrary
- irrational — without the faculty of reason; deprived of reason.
- irresponsible — said, done, or characterized by a lack of a sense of responsibility: His refusal to work shows him to be completely irresponsible.
- random — proceeding, made, or occurring without definite aim, reason, or pattern: the random selection of numbers.
- unreasonable — not reasonable or rational; acting at variance with or contrary to reason; not guided by reason or sound judgment; irrational: an unreasonable person.
- subjective — existing in the mind; belonging to the thinking subject rather than to the object of thought (opposed to objective).
adjective arbitrary
- chance — If there is a chance of something happening, it is possible that it will happen.
- uninformed — having or prepared with information or knowledge; apprised: an informed audience that asked intelligent questions.
- illogical — not logical; contrary to or disregardful of the rules of logic; unreasoning: an illogical reply.
- indiscriminate — not discriminating; lacking in care, judgment, selectivity, etc.: indiscriminate in one's friendships.
- haphazard — characterized by lack of order or planning, by irregularity, or by randomness; determined by or dependent on chance; aimless.
Antonyms for arbitrary
adj arbitrary
- logical — according to or agreeing with the principles of logic: a logical inference.
- sensible — having, using, or showing good sense or sound judgment: a sensible young woman.
- reliable — that may be relied on or trusted; dependable in achievement, accuracy, honesty, etc.: reliable information.
- dependable — If you say that someone or something is dependable, you approve of them because you feel that you can be sure that they will always act consistently or sensibly, or do what you need them to do.
- unchanging — to make the form, nature, content, future course, etc., of (something) different from what it is or from what it would be if left alone: to change one's name; to change one's opinion; to change the course of history.
adjective arbitrary
- systematic — having, showing, or involving a system, method, or plan: a systematic course of reading; systematic efforts.
Top questions with arbitrary
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See also
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