arbitrary (adj.)
based on random choice
Examples
- An arbitrary decision.
Key rules
- Arbitrary means based on random choice, not reason
- Arbitrary decision, arbitrary rule
- Arbitrarily is the adverb
Common mistakes
- An arbitrary of decision → An arbitrary decision
- He chose arbitrary → He chose arbitrarily
Use cases
- Criticising rules
- Describing decisions
- Judging fairness
💡 Tip: Arbitrary is negative; random can be neutral.